Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has confirmed his retirement from professional football at the age of 30. The Englishman spent last season with Danish side Aarhus, but couldn’t extend his deal with them.
I’ve lived my dream. Thank you all ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rB5gnyyUlK
— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) July 8, 2022
Arsenal Legend Jack Wilshere Announces Retirement
Emotional Message to Announce Retirement
Jack Wilshere paid homage to his career in the message posted on Twitter in which he announced his retirement.
“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,” Wilshere wrote.
“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. I have lived my dream. In truth it has been difficult to accept that my career has been slipping away in recent times due to reasons outside of my control whilst feeling that I have still had so much to give.”
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“Having played at the very highest level I have always held such huge ambitions within the game and if I am truthful I did not envisage being in this position at times.”
“However, having had time to reflect and talk with those closest with me I know that now is the right time and despite the difficult moments I look back on my career with great pride at what I have achieved,” Wilshere wrote.
What Lies in the Future for Wilshere
Wilshere will not be actively playing any more football after announcing his retirement. However, it looks like he will be moving into a coaching role imminently. According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the 30-year-old is expected to make a return to Arsenal and take up a coaching role.
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He will be announced as the Gunners’ new U18 head coach, in which his role will be to train the Arsenal youth academy players and help them transition to the senior level. A product of the North London giants’ own academy, Wilshere is well aware of what it takes to make the jump to the first team from the youth level.
Wilshere’s Career Summed Up
After joining the Arsenal academy at the age of nine, Wilshere climbed the ranks very quickly. Wilshere made his competitive debut for the Gunners at the age of 16 in 2008. He became a regular for the Gunners by the age of 18, making 35 Premier League appearances for them in the 2010/11 season.
However, injury troubles started to impact his career from a very young age. He sustained serious injuries across his career, which forced him to undergo multiple surgeries and hindered his development. Wilshere made over 100 appearances for the Gunners, but wasn’t consistent with his game-time because of injuries.
Will forever be a Gooner & will always be a great example of what young players can strive to achieve at Hale End.
You’re one of us, @JackWilshere! See you back at Arsenal soon.❤️ #afc pic.twitter.com/vCjZfsn7yO
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) July 8, 2022
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He spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Bournemouth, but couldn’t impress them enough to warrant a permanent deal. After leaving Arsenal in 2018, the English midfielder joined West Ham United. But injury troubles meant he couldn’t regularly feature for the Hammers either.
Wilshere was released by West Ham last year and spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at Bournemouth. He spent last season playing for Danish side Aarhus but has decided to call time on a difficult career after failing to get a move to any prominent side.
