Jonathan Walters retires from football through injury
Republic of Ireland forward Jon Walters has announced his retirement from football due to an Achilles injury.
The 35-year-old suffered a partial rupture last year but it has been hoped he would return to play this season.
However, he has today decided to end his career, saying the injury was not something he could overcome.
He tweeted: “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.”
He joined Burnley for £3m in a two-year deal in 2017 but was dogged by injuries throughout his time at Turf Moor.
Prior to that he enjoyed seven years at Stoke City prior to that, making 271 appearances.
Walters scored several crucial goals in the green jersey most notably in the EURO 2012 play-off against Estonia and a brace against Bosnia and Herzegovina to book Ireland’s spot at EURO 2016.
Captain Seamus Coleman paid tribute to his former team-mate today: “As long as he and I have been in the squad, he has been nothing short of an example to all of us. The pride, every time he has played for his country he has been an inspiration to all of us. He nearly carried us to the Euros in France.”
“These new lads that are in the squad in the next few years, he is a real example and he will be missed.”
Ireland boss Mick McCarthy said: “It is sad to see him go but it happens to all of us, to the best. He was an inspiration for Ireland and it’s sad to lose those type of players, and it’s even sadder still when it is because of injury.
“I know he’ll be supporting us and wishing us all well and I wish him well in whatever he chooses to do.”