Theo Walcott retired from professional football at the age of 34, the former England And Arsenal striker announced on Friday.

A product of the Southampton academy, Walcott joined Arsenal aged 16 in 2006 and scored 108 goals in 397 appearances.

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He won the FA Cup twice in the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons as well as the Community Shield in 2015 and 2017 during his 12-year spell at the club. premier league club.

Walcott, who has been selected 47 times, joined Everton in 2018 before returning to Southampton on loan in the 2020-21 season and making the move permanent.

“The first moment I put on my football boots at age 10 was the start of a special journey for me,” Walcott said on social media.

“From playing in the park with friends to performing in some of the biggest stadiums in front of huge crowds around the world. The support I’ve been shown throughout this time has been amazing in every way imaginable, and I’m really grateful.

“I have shared the football pitch with so many amazing players and we have created so many unforgettable memories.”

Walcott became England’s youngest senior player at 17 when he played in a friendly win against Hungary at Old Trafford in 2006.

“I would like to say a big thank you to all the managers and coaches I have worked with, especially Harry [Redknapp] for giving me the start [at Southampton] and Arsene [Wenger] for showing me confidence and support when I joined [Arsenal] only 16,” Walcott added.