An England and Chelsea former defender, Gary Cahill, has announced his retirement from professional football, ending a career that had spanned more than 18 years with trophies and important goals.
Cahill, who earned 61 caps and scored five goals for there Three Lions of England, has been without a club since leaving Bournemouth in the summer after assisting the club gain promotion to the Premier League.
The two-time Premier League winner on Wednesday believes now was the time to hang up the boots that had earned him fame and proceed on his next career plan as well as cater to the family, particularly as he hopes to celebrate his 37th birthday on December 19th.
Before announcing his retirement, Cahill’s biggest achievement was being part of the Chelsea squad that lifted the Champions League in 2012, and he collected eight major honours during his time at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “Obviously, it’s been a tough decision in some aspects but I think I just knew the journey had to come to an end at some stage. I just got the feeling that now is the right time.
“I did have options. I could have played in the Premier League with one side and I had a couple of options in the Championship which is flattering to still get the offers. But at the moment, as well as my career, my kids are settled at school and it would’ve meant moving again.”
After leaving Chelsea as a free agent in 2019, Cahill joined Crystal Palace for a two-year spell where he made 47 appearances in all competitions under former England manager Roy Hodgson.
The former Bolton and Aston Villa centre-back was unable to reach an agreement on a new contract with the Eagles after weeks of talks in 2021, so he joined Bournemouth on a short-term deal for the 2021/22 campaign.
Inspite of the successes recorded with the club, Cahill did not renew his contract despite making 22 league appearances in the Cherries’ promotion from the Championship.