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Jermain Defoe on verge of announcing retirement aged 39 with ex-Tottenham and England ace ‘ready to call time on career’
SUNDERLAND star Jermain Defoe, 39, is on the verge of retiring with immediate effect.
Defoe’s current deal with the Black Cats is due to run until the end of the season, but sources have told SunSport that he will announce his retirement imminently.
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In fact, has suspended betting on the legendary striker calling it a day.
A source close to Defoe said: "He’s ready to call time on what has been a fantastic career.
"The 9th highest Premier League scorer of all time, 20 goals and over 50 caps for his country and rewarded with an OBE in light of all of the amazing work that he has done away from the pitch.
"What a career he has had."
Defoe will end his amazing career at Sunderland, whom he rejoined last month and has made seven League One appearances for so far this season.
The 39-year-old started out at West Ham in 1999 and played for a number of notable clubs, such as Tottenham, Portsmouth, Rangers, Bournemouth and of course the Black Cats.
But the centre-forward spent most of his time at Spurs across three stints, one of which was on loan from Toronto.
Defoe spent almost a total of 10 years with the north Londoners and amassed 143 goals as well as 32 assists in 362 appearances across all competitions.
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He is the club's sixth highest scorer of all time and was part of the side that won the club's most recent trophy - the 2008 League Cup.
The veteran also made his England debut in 2004 and scored a total of 20 goals in 57 caps.
The highlight of his international career was appearing at the 2010 World Cup where he scored against Slovenia.
He is set to leave Sunderland after 37 goals and four assists in 100 games.
His most recent game was a 19 minute appearance off the bench in a 0-0 draw away at Lincoln.
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