Ex-Everton captain Phil Jagielka announces retirement from football

Former England and Everton defender Phil Jagielka has announced his retirement from professional football at 41, in latest football news.

After making over 800 appearances across 23 years, Jagielka has decided to bring the curtain down in his professional career.

The 41-year-old started his career at Sheffield United and spent eight seasons with them. Moreover, he also helped the Blades to earn promotion to the Premier League under Neil Warnock in 2006.

Jagielka then left Sheffield United to join Everton in a £4 million deal in 2007 and spent 12 years at Goodison Park, captaining the club from 2013 until 2019.

“The club itself means a hell of a lot to me, and it will be nice now that I’ve retired to go back there and enjoy it a bit more than I would’ve done previously,” said Jagielka.

Jagielka’s contract with Everton expired in the summer of 2019. He then rejoined Sheffield United following their promotion back to the Premier League.

Phil Jagielka retires from professional football at 41

“I didn’t want to leave [Everton] and the way I left was a bit disappointing and frustrating,” he said.

Jagielka spent two seasons back at Sheffield United following the club’s promotion before spending six months at Derby, while he finished his career with Stoke.

The former Everton captain also won 40 caps for England between 2008 and 2016 and featured at the Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Announcing his retirement on Instagram, Jagielka wrote: “All good things come to an end, and after just over 800 appearances my playing career is done.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would get to play football at the highest level for some amazing clubs as well as my country.

“It’s been an absolute honour to step onto the grass for every match and I have so many people to thank for that.”

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