Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott retires at 34; Chelsea sign Romeo Lavia from Southampton
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Theo Walcott became England’s youngest-ever senior player at 17 when he played in a friendly victory over Hungary at Old Trafford in 2006.
PHOTO: AFP
LONDON – Theo Walcott has retired from football at the age of 34, the former England and Arsenal forward announced on Friday.
A product of Southampton’s academy, Walcott joined the Gunners at the age of 16 in 2006 and scored 108 goals in 397 appearances. He won the FA Cup twice in the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons, as well as the Community Shield in 2015 and 2017 during his 12-year stay at the Premier League club.
Walcott, capped 47 times, joined Everton in 2018 before returning to Southampton on loan in the 2020-21 season and making the move permanent.
“The first moment I put my football boots at age 10, was the start of a special journey for me,” he said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“From playing in the park with friends to performing in some of the biggest stadiums in front of huge crowds across the world. The support shown to me throughout this time has been incredible in every way imaginable, and I am truly grateful.
“I’ve shared the football pitch with so many incredible players, and we have created so many unforgettable memories.”
Walcott became England’s youngest senior player at 17 when he played in a friendly victory over Hungary at Old Trafford in 2006.
He was an unused substitute in the Three Lions squad at the World Cup that summer in Germany and played at Euro 2012.
“I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all the managers and coaches I’ve worked with, especially Harry (Redknapp) for giving me the start (at Southampton) and Arsene (Wenger) for showing belief and support to me when I joined (Arsenal) at only 16 years old,” he added.
The Saints have lost another promising player to a London club, after Chelsea on Friday said they have signed Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia, 19, on a seven-year contract from the Championship side. Lavia, who was linked with a move to Liverpool, has joined in a deal worth £55 million (S$95 million).
He signed for Manchester City at 16 in 2020 but made just two appearances before joining the Saints in July 2022 for £10.5 million. “I’m really happy to join Chelsea and be a part of this exciting project. It’s an amazing football club with a great history and I’m really excited to get started,” Lavia said.
“I can’t wait to meet all my new teammates and build a chemistry together to achieve great things together.”
The defensive midfielder made 34 appearances in all competitions for the Saints, scoring once, but was unable to prevent Southampton’s relegation.
“He demonstrated his quality in the Premier League last season at Southampton, showing maturity despite his young age...,” Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, said in a joint statement. REUTERS
