Ex-Stoke and Ireland star Jonathan Walters retires at 35 after ‘Achilles heel finished me off’
The Burnley striker has called time on his career after saying he is unable to continue as he battles persistent injuries
JONATHAN WALTERS has retired from football aged 35 after claiming: "My Achilles heel finished me off!"
The Burnley striker has called time on his career after saying he is unable to continue as he battles persistent injuries.
Walters described it as "ironic" that his Achilles heel was his Achilles heel, calling his long career in the sport "epic".
Walters announced the news on Twitter, writing: "Isn’t it ironic... my Achilles heel has literally been my Achilles heel and finished me off!
"I am now retired from playing football. It’s been epic. Veni vidi vici."
Walters is still technically a Burnley player having signed for the Clarets in 2017, but last played for Ipswich earlier this season during a loan spell.
STOKE LEGEND
The 54-cap Republic of Ireland international played just four games for Ipswich this season in August and September before injury struck.
Walters kicked off his senior career in 2000 with Blackburn, before spending three years at Bolton between 2001 and 2004.
A season apiece at Hull, Wrexham and Chester came next before he settled down at Ipswich for three years.
Walters enjoyed the best years of his career though between 2010 and 2017 at Stoke, scoring 43 goals in 226 league outings.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
As his career wound down, the Irishman swapped Stoke for Burnley, but was only able to make three Premier League appearances before he was shipped off on loan.
Earlier this year, Walters bravely spoke out about his test for bowel cancer after losing his mum to the disease.
The Irishman shared the experience on Twitter in a light-hearted manner to raise awareness.
Jonathan Walters' career
2000-01: Blackburn
2001-02: Bolton
2003: Hull (loan)
2003: Crewe (loan)
2003: Barnsley (loan)
2004-05: Hull
2005-06: Wrexham
2006-07: Chester
2007-10: Ipswich
2010-17: Stoke
2017-19: Burnley
2018: Ipswich (loan)
