Jack Wilshere has today announced his retirement from professional football.
The former Arsenal midfielder is retiring aged just 30, following a career of high promise but unfortunate injuries.
Despite this, Wilshere enjoyed a good career, making 197 appearances for Arsenal and 34 for England, winning two FA Cups on the way too.
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Joining at just nine years old, Wilshere rose through the ranks at Hale End, eventually making his first appearance for the Arsenal first team in 2008.
He was just 16 and became Arsenal's youngest-ever league debutant.
Wilshere looked set for a shining career, a night against Barcelona in 2011 signifying his potential as he went toe-to-toe with Xavi and Iniesta, despite still being a teenager.
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Unfortunately injuries caught up with the midfielder and he could never escape them.
In 2018, Wilshere left to West Ham but injuries plagued his time there too.
In 2021 he joined Bournemouth but left after six months.
His six month spell at Danish side Aarhus served as the last period of his professional career.
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Wilshere spoke to his fans in a statement:
"Today I am announcing my retirement from playing professional football."
"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."
"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."
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"I have lived the dream."
Wilshere is undoubtedly a cult hero amongst Arsenal fans and was warmly embraced on Twitter by the Gunners fans.
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As for what's next, according to the reliable David Ornstein, Wilshere is set to return to Arsenal as U18s head coach.
The Englishman helped coach the team temporarily in January and is set to take on the full job now.
Arsenal fans will be pleased to see their hero back at the club in what is a fairy-tale return.
Topics: Arsenal, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta
Evan Lloyd