Ex-Arsenal star Theo Walcott is set to retire from professional football at the age of 34
Ex-Arsenal star Theo Walcott is set to retire from professional football at the age of 34 following his release from Southampton
- Theo Walcott is set to retire from professional football at the age of 34-years-old
- He had started training with Reading after being released by Southampton
Theo Walcott is set to retire from professional football at the age of 34-years-old following a star studded career, according to reports.
According to talkSPORT, the former Arsenal, Everton and Southampton winger is expected to hang up his boots after a 23-year career that has seen him score 87 goals in 420 Premier League appearances.
It comes after he was released by Southampton earlier this summer, with the former England international dropping down to train with Reading this summer.
Mail Sport understands that the Royals were ‘close to signing‘ Walcott and could have reunited with his former England colleague Andy Carroll.
But instead of opting to play for Reading, Walcott has reportedly chosen to retire after a fantastic career.
Walcott started his footballing journey with Swindon Town Youth, before joining Southampton in 2000.
He rose through the Saints academy to become the youngest ever player at the time at 16-years-old to start for the South coast side, making his debut in a 0-0 draw against Wolves in the Championship back in 2005.
He went on to score his first goal for the club two months later, scoring in a 2-1 defeat to Leeds at Elland Road.
He’d return four more goals that season, announcing himself as a promising young star in the Saints squad.
His excellent form would see him sign for Arsenal the following season, where he was deployed by Arsene Wenger in their opening game of the season against Aston Villa, a 1-1 draw that was also his Premier League debut.
Walcott would go on to make 397 appearances, scoring 108 goals across all competitions for the Gunners.
He’d win three FA Cups with the north London club as well as two FA Community Shields before departing for Everton in a £20million deal.
He’d go on to play 85 times for Everton, scoring 11 goals in all competitions for the Toffees before being loaned back to Southampton, and subsequently moving permanently back to his old club on a free transfer in 2021.
Despite a calf injury that had kept him out of multiple games last season, Walcott scored twice for Southampton across 20 appearances last season, before their relegation from the Premier League.
More to follow…
