Jack Wilshere, a former midfielder for both England and Arsenal, has announced his retirement from the game at the age of 30. He will now serve as the head coach of the Gunners' under-18 team.
After graduating from the club's academy in 2008 at the age of 16 and 256 days, Wilshere made his league debut for the Gunners.
The midfielder, who suffered from numerous injuries, won the FA Cup twice in back-to-back seasons with Arsenal in 2014 and 2015 before moving on to Bournemouth and then West Ham.
In January 2021, Wilshere signed a brief contract to return to the Cherries, and he also spent time with Danish Superliga team AGF.
“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 said in his retirement announcement on Twitter.
“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.
“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.”