Ben Foster retires despite Newcastle's excellent offer

Despite an offer from

,

Ben Foster

, former England and

goalkeeper, has confirmed his retirement. The 39-year-old keeper, who has become famous for his viral video series The Cycling GK, made the announcement on the video platform.

Foster has been playing professionally since 2000 and finished his career with Watford. He played for Manchester United, West Brom,

Birmingham City

, and Watford. He was able to earn eight England caps and was in the team that competed in the 2014 World Cup.

"I've got an announcement to make; it's a big one. The time has finally come for me to announce my retirement," Foster said. I know for a fact if I'd have gone there I'd have had an amazing time, the lads would have been absolutely brilliant and I'd have buzzed off the stadium, the fans, all that kind of stuff, but the overriding sinking feeling was 'I don't want to do this."

Foster said that Newcastle had offered him a contract after Karl Darlow was injured as

's backup, but he turned down the chance to focus on his family.

"I was just eating my dinner and I thought 'no, I’m not doing it'. I've got to be happy and comfortable and I wouldn’t be able to do that so far away from my family. It would kill me. If I'm in an apartment in Newcastle away from my family by myself, I don't think people can understand, that's really hard to do. Especially at the age I am and everything I've got going on."

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