Following his departure from Southampton at the end of last season, former Arsenal player Theo Walcott has confirmed his retirement from football.
He announced his retirement via social media after 563 club appearances and three FA Cups, as well as two Community Shields.
Earlier this summer, Bournemouth and League One team Reading were rumoured to be interested in signing Walcott, who scored more than 100 goals for Arsenal and earned 47 England caps.
He also scored 129 goals in all competitions.
He joined Arsenal in January 2006 at the age of 16 from Southampton for an initial $5 million, which would eventually increase to £12 million, and played the most of his career in north London.
Despite not playing for the Gunners in the second half of the 2005–2006 season, Sven Goran Eriksson sensationally named him to England’s World Cup team that summer.
When he participated in a friendly victory over Hungary in May 2006, Walcott, at 17 years and 75 days old, made history as the Three Lions’ youngest player.
