Former Chelsea and England defender Gary Cahill announces retirement
Former Chelsea and England defender Gary Cahill has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36. Cahill has been without a club since leaving Bournemouth last summer.
Cahill told Sky Sports:
"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.”
Cahill made his debut for
Englandin 2020. He played in 61 matches for his country and managed to score five goals.
"It was huge because at the time, a lot of the England squad were in top teams and I don't mean that disrespectfully towards Bolton, who took the chance to buy me [from Aston Villa],"
Cahill said.
"They put me in the team week-in, week-out and they gave me the platform to learn, make mistakes, grow as a player and grow as a man.”
Cahill played between 2011 and 2019 for
Chelseaand won two Premier League titles with the Blues. He also won the Champions League in 2012 and the Europe League in 2013.
"To be involved in such a successful team was the pinnacle of your playing days,"
added Cahill.
"It's what you strive for when you first start playing to get to the top to try and be involved in a team that can challenge and compete for trophies.
"To be in a changing room with such big figures that were there at the time - the list was huge - players who have gone on and achieved so many great things in the game, coming in as a young player was amazing for me.”
After leaving Chelsea in 2019, the former Bolton player played for Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
"Everyone is different, and I'm not sure yet what I'll do. I want to take some time away and step back from football and just enjoy watching it.
"I'm conscious of not diving into something straightaway so I'll spend some time with the family. I'll make a decision on the next chapter in my life after Christmas."
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