Jon Walters has announced his retirement from football this afternoon.
The 35-year-old revealed his decision on Twitter and explained that his Achilles issues were the main factor.
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 pic.twitter.com/ZC3m0LmYn5
— Jonathan Walters (@JonWalters19) March 22, 2019
Walters had picked up the Achilles injury while on loan from Burnley at Ipswich Town last season.
Ireland career
He made his final appearance for Ireland against Wales in the Nations League in September 2018.
Overall, the former Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City player earned 54 caps for Ireland and scored 14 goals, having won his maiden cap against Norway in 2010.
Many of those 14 goals proved crucial for Ireland's qualification hopes. A double against Bosnia saw the Boys in Green win the second leg of their Euro 2016 playoff which saw the team qualify for the tournament.
Prisoners taken: 0 😅
Fair play, @JonWalters19. All the best for your retirement! pic.twitter.com/AYhdqU7vGt
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) March 22, 2019
Walters was also part of the Ireland squad for Euro 2012.
At club level, he spent seven seasons with Stoke in the Premier League, scoring 43 league goals.
Best wishes Jon. Good luck in whatever the future holds 👊 https://t.co/XowErnPWGW
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) March 22, 2019
Last April, Walters told former team-mate Keith Andrews on Off The Ball that he intended and was hopeful that he could keep playing for Ireland.
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