England international and former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has announced his retirement from professional play aged just 30, after an injury-prone career. The announcement follows a half-season stint at Danish club Aarhus Gymnastikforening, or AGF, where he made 14 league appearances.
Read Also: Scamacca to PSG; PSG eyeing Sassuolo striker for €50 million
Jack Wilshere’s Career
Arsenal
Wilshere began his career at Arsenal’s youth academy when he was just nine years old. He spent seven years with the team before making his first-team debut in 2008 at the age of 16, beating Cesc Fabregas’ previous record for the club’s youngest debutant. His time at the North London club was filled with memorable moments, such as the goal against Norwich City in the 2013/14 season and the half-volley from outside the box against West Bromwich Albion in the 2014/15 season, both of which won the Premier League Goal Of The Season award, making him the only player to do so in consecutive seasons.
Injury after injury plagued Wilshere during his tenure with the team, keeping him sidelined for the majority of the later part, and ultimately forcing his departure at the conclusion of the 2017–18 season, after being a part of the Gunners for 17 years.
West Ham United
Wilshere signed with boyhood club West Ham United on 9th July 2018 on a three-year contract. After debuting in a 4-0 loss against Liverpool, he featured only 18 more times for the Hammers, mostly being sidelined due injury. This led to a mutual termination of his contract in December 2020, with one year left on his contract.
AFC Bournemouth
In the 2021 winter transfer window, the midfielder signed a short-term deal to return to the Cherries, where he spent the 2016–17 season on loan. He scored his first goal in over 1.5 years on January 26 in a 2-1 FA Cup victory over Crawley Town, and he added another goal in a 3-2 victory against Birmingham City, his first league goal for Bournemouth in the Championship. He was released from the club after making 17 appearances and scoring 2 goals for the Cherries.
Read Also: Frenkie De Jong move to Manchester United still not confirmed; Held up in Barcelona by salary issues
AGF
In February 2022, the Danish team Aarhus Gymnastikforening, or AGF, signed Wilshere to a short-term deal that would last through the end of the campaign. He had been training with the Arsenal senior team and Serie B side Como 1907 since his release from Bournemouth.
He announced his retirement on July 8, 2022, after the Danish club declined to extend his contract.
Arsenal U-18 Head Coach
Wilshere has left the door open for his involvement in professional football to continue. He is expected to take up a role in Arsenal’s youth system following the departure of Dan Micciche to Crawley. He has a strong relationship with former teammate Per Mertesacker, who is the head of the Arsenal academy.
“I have enjoyed every moment of my career, and it has been a journey of a lifetime,” he said.
“It’s time to close this chapter, but I still have so much to offer the game, and I’m excited about what the future holds.”
