BREAKING: Peter Crouch Retires From Football

Jul 12, 2019 1358

By Joshua Walters

Former England international Peter Crouch has disclosed his retirement from football on Friday.

The striker, who played for Liverpool in his football career returned to the Premier League last season after signing a short-term contract with Burnley in January following a seven-year spell at Stoke City.

In announcing his retirement, the 38-year-old wrote on twitter;

“After a lot of deliberation this summer I have decided to retire from football.

“Our wonderful game has given me everything. I’m so thankful to everyone who helped me get there and to help me stay there for so long.

“I have had 23 years to prepare for this moment but, now it is here, you realise nothing can prepare you at all.

"To go from being a regular starter to someone whose role is limited to 10 or 15 minutes off the bench has been hard to accept. I will be 39 in January but I am physically fit and could have carried on. What I didn't want to be was someone who was thrown on to have balls smashed up to them.

“If you had told me I would go on to play for England 42 times and score 22 goals, play for Liverpool in a Champions League and FA Cup final and score the goal that put Tottenham back in the European Cup for the first time in four decades, I would have had you locked up.

“That, though, is what happened and I remember a conversation with my Dad when I was on international duty that put everything into context. We were talking about the England No 9 shirt and how every kid in the country who kicks a ball around hopes they will wear it one day.

“As it happened, I wore the No 9 jersey later that afternoon. I have been blessed and I'd like to think people recognise how much I have enjoyed my career; wherever I have been, I've always had a great affinity with supporters. I think it was obvious each time I scored for their club I was so happy.”