Jack Wilshere announces retirement from football aged 30, 'I have lived my dream'
- Sean Fisher
- 8 July 2022
Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere announced his retirement on Friday afternoon, putting an end to his 14-year career in football.
Jack Wilshere has decided to call an end to his football career, 14 years after making his debut for Arsenal as a 16-year-old.
Wilshere's career started with the Gunners, before he made moves to Bournmeouth, West Ham and Danish Superliga club AGF.
Now 30 years old, Wilshere is ready to hang up his boots for good, with the former England midfielder describing his career as an "unbelievable journey".
I’ve lived my dream. Thank you all ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rB5gnyyUlK
— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) July 8, 2022
"It has been an unbelievable journey filled with so many incredible moments and I feel privileged to have experienced all that I did during my career," Wilshere said in his retirement announcement on Twitter.
"From being the little boy kicking a ball around in the garden to captaining my beloved Arsenal and playing for my country at a World Cup. I have lived my dream.
"In truth it has been difficult to accept that my career has been slipping away in recent times due to reasons outside of my control whilst feeling that I have still had so much to give.
"Having played at the very highest level I have always held such huge ambitions within the game and if I am truthful, I did not envisage being in this position at times.
"However, having had time to reflect and talk with those closest with me I know that now is the right time and despite the difficult moments, I look back on my career with great pride at what I have achieved."
— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) July 8, 2022
Wilshere became the Gunners' youngest league debutant when aged 16 and 256 days during 2008 after coming through the club's Academy.
The midfielder, who was hampered by a series of injuries, won the FA Cup twice in successive seasons with Arsenal in 2014 and 2015, before joining Bournemouth and then West Ham.
Wilshere also retires with 34 caps to his name, having also been a part of England's 2014 World Cup squad.
