Gareth Bale hangs his boots.
Welshman Gareth Bale has retired from Professional Football aged 33.
The former Tottenham and Real Madrid forward, who spent last season at Los Angeles FC in MLS, was part of Wales' squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Gareth Bale announced his decision to retire through his twitter account describing his time in Football as some of the best moments of his life.
"After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football.’’
"I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love. It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life. The highest of highs over 17 seasons that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me...’’
Bale’s career started at Southampton, where he made his debut aged 16 then joined Tottenham for an initial fee of £5 million ($6 million) in 2007.
The Welshman went on to become world’s most-expensive player when he moved to Real Madrid from Tottenham in 2013 and went on to win the Champions League five times with the Spanish giants.
At the peak of his career, Bale inspired Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in their first major international tournament for 58 years.
The 33-year-old leaves the stage with a record 111 caps for Wales and 41 goals.
“My journey on the international stage is one that has changed not only my life but who I am,” Bale said in an open letter to the Welsh supporters.
“The fortune of being Welsh and being selected to play for and captain Wales has given me something incomparable to anything else I’ve experienced.”
‘’To my previous clubs, Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and finally LAFC. All of my previous managers and coaches, back room staff, team mates, all the dedicated fans, my agents, my amazing friends and family, the impact you have had is immeasurable.’’
The Welshman won five Champions League titles and Three La Liga titles at Real Madrid and is considered one of Britain's greatest-ever football exports.
Tags: Real Madrid Gareth Bale Wales National Team Los Angeles Fc