Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper retires from football

Former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 34.

Szczesny announced his retirement in a statement on Tuesday.

He won 11 major trophies in England and Italy across a senior professional career spanning 15 years.

Earlier this month, Szczesny mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Juventus one year early. The club had been in discussions to sell the Poland international to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr earlier this summer but negotiations broke down.

Szczesny was capped 84 times by Poland after making his senior debut in 2009 and played in two of his side’s three games at this summer’s European Championship – his seventh major international tournament.

Announcing his retirement on Instagram, he said his heart was no longer in it and it was right time to start spending more time with his family.

Szczesny stated: “I left Warsaw, my hometown in June of 2006 to join Arsenal with one dream to make a living out of football.

“Little did I know it would be a start of a journey of a lifetime. Little did I know that I would get to play for the biggest clubs in the world and represent my country 84 times.

“Little did I know that not only would I make a living out of the game but the game would become my whole life. I didn’t just realise my dreams, I’ve arrived where my imagination wouldn’t even dare to take me.

“I played the game at the highest level with the best players in history without ever feeling inferior. I’ve made friends for life, created unforgettable memories and met people who have made an incredible impact on my life. Everything that I have and everything that I am I owe to the beautiful game of football.

But I also gave the game all I had. I gave the game 18 years of my life, everyday, without excuses. Today, though my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore. I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family – my amazing wife Marina and our two beautiful children Liam and Noelia.

“Therefore I have decided to retire from professional football.”

He continued: “A journey’s end is a time for reflection and gratitude.

“There’s a lot of people that I would have to thank in this spot but I will try to do that personally with each one of them. But to you – the fans I owe a special thank you for being on this journey with me. For the support and criticism, for the love and hate, for being the most beautiful and romantic part of football. Without you, none of this would make any sense! Thank you!

“Now, every story has an end but in life, every ending is a new beginning.

“What this new path will bring for me only time will tell. But if the last 18 years have taught me anything it is that nothing is impossible and believe me, I’m going to dream BIG!”

Szczesny joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old in 2006 from Legia Warsaw and went on to make 181 first-team appearances for the north London club, helping them to win the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015.

He spent two seasons on loan at Roma before joining Juventus on a permanent deal in the summer of 2017.

Szczesny made 252 appearances for Juventus and won eight major trophies, including three Serie A titles.

He featured 35 times in Serie A last season, but Juventus subsequently signed goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio on a season-long loan deal from Monza this summer, with an obligation to buy the 27-year-old on a permanent basis at the end of the season.