Jack Wilshere announced retirement at the age of 30

Former

star

has been appointed as the head coach of the Gunners under-18 team after announcing his retirement from football.

Wilshere, who played 34 games for the

, was released by Danish club AGF Aarhus and became a free agent once again. He decided to hang up his boots and work on developing new stars instead of using the preseason to stay in shape and wait for potential offers.

His retirement letter reads:

"In truth it has been difficult to accept that my career has been slipping away in recent times due to reasons outside of my control whilst feeling that I have still had so much to give.

"Having played at the very highest level I have always held such ambitions within the game and if I am truthful I did not envisage being in this position at times.

"However, having had time to reflect and talk with those closest with me I know that now is the right time and despite the difficult moments I look back on my career with great pride at what I have achieved."

He added: "It has been an unbelievable journey filled with so many incredible moments and I feel privileged to have experienced all that I did during my career.

"From being the little boy kicking a ball around in the garden to captaining my beloved Arsenal and playing for my country at a World Cup. I have lived my dream.”

Follow

for

the