Former England and Chelsea midfield maestro, Danny Drinkwater, has officially declared his retirement from the world of professional football.
The Premier League title holder during his time with Leicester City has decided to bid adieu to his footballing career, stating that he had endured a period of uncertainty following his departure from Chelsea in July of the previous year. Speaking on the High-Performance Podcast, the 33-year-old disclosed, “I’d like to make a formal announcement about my retirement from professional football. It’s something I’ve been contemplating for a while, especially with the past year. I think the time has come to announce it officially.”
He went on to express, “I didn’t think it would affect me, but once I said it out loud, it felt like touching a nerve. I believe I’ve been prepared for this moment. I didn’t want to quit at my peak, and the desire has somewhat subsided, which has facilitated the transition. I’ve felt stuck in a state of uncertainty for too long, craving to play but not being provided the opportunities to compete at a level where I felt appreciated. I’ve been in a state of restlessness without cause. I’m content not playing football, but I’m also content playing football. So, do I bid farewell to the sport?”
Drinkwater’s career soared when he joined Leicester in 2012, contributing significantly to their promotion to the Premier League in 2014. He played a pivotal role in Leicester’s astonishing Premier League title victory under Claudio Ranieri in the 2015-2016 season, featuring in 35 of the 38 league matches. In March 2016, he earned his first of three caps for England in a friendly match against the Netherlands at Wembley but did not make Roy Hodgson’s squad for the European Championship that year. Following one more season with Leicester, Chelsea acquired him for £35 million.
After making 22 appearances in his debut season at Stamford Bridge, Drinkwater embarked on various loan stints with Burnley, Aston Villa, Turkish club Kasimpasa, and Reading in the Championship.
