Without a social media post or statement on a club website, it emerged on Monday night that Mousa Dembele has decided to retired from professional football.
The 34-year-old, who last played in the Chinese Super League with Guangzhou City, enjoyed spells at Beerschot, Willem II and AZ before making an impact in the Premier League at Fulham.
Dembele then spent seven glorious years in North London with Tottenham Hotspur. He made a total of 243 appearances for the club, and soon became a fan favourite with a number of memorable performances in the middle of the park.
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In fact, many people believe the former Belgium international is one of the most underrated player in Premier League history alongside the likes of Park Ji-sung and Ricardo Carvalho.
A compilation of the midfielder in action reminds us all that he was indeed one of the best dribblers of all time. I mean, just check out this compilation below. The ball just stuck to his foot.
According to Belgian publication HLN, Dembele is now back in Antwerp and wants to spend more time with his children Maleec and Fellah.
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The midfielder can certainly look back on his career with pride. Back in 2017, former manager Mauricio Pochettino described the midfielder as a "genius" and among the best he had ever worked with.
He added: "We always told him, 'If we had taken you at 18 or 19 years old, you would have become one of the best players in the world.' I would have loved to have taken him on at 18."
Pochettino isn't the only man to express his admiration for Dembele.
Eric Dier, another former Spurs teammate, is quoted as saying Dembele was a "freak of nature". He added: "Physically, he's a monster but he's got ballerina feet."
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Sadly though, injuries took their toll and it makes you think - what could have been?
Anyway, happy retirement Mousa. You gave the Premier League some great memories in the colours of Fulham and Spurs.
Topics: Moussa Dembele, Tottenham Hotspur, Chinese Super League, Belgium
Jack Kenmare