Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott retires at age 34

LONDON (AP) — Former Arsenal ahead Theo Walcott retired from soccer on Friday at age 34 after an 18-year profession.

Walcott scored 129 objectives in 560 video games for Southampton, Arsenal and Everton. He made 47 appearances for England.

At age 17, Walcott was surprisingly named in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s squad for the 2006 World Cup and holds the report of being the nation’s youngest-ever participant. He scored eight objectives for England.

Walcott started and ended his profession with Southampton, breaking into the primary workforce at age 16 in 2005 and returning to St. Mary’s in 2020.

“I’m lucky enough to have had offers to continue playing, but it feels right to finish where I started and hang up my football boots,” he wrote on Instagram.

Walcott scored 108 objectives in 397 appearances over 12 seasons performed at Arsenal earlier than he left for Everton in January 2018.

“The support shown to me throughout this time has been incredible in every way imaginable and I am truly grateful,” he wrote. “I’ve shared the football pitch with so many incredible players and we have created so many unforgettable memories.”