(Football News) At the age of 33, former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has made the decision to retire from professional soccer due to persistent injuries.
The former England international, who most recently served as the captain for Watford, initially joined the Championship side on loan from Manchester United during the 2009-10 season.
Cleverley had a fruitful tenure at Watford, amassing a total of 181 appearances, scoring 19 goals, and providing 15 assists over the course of six and a half years. He initially joined the club on loan from Everton before making a permanent move in 2017.
Unfortunately, injuries heavily impacted Tom Cleverley’s final season, resulting in him being absent for 29 matches for Watford. The team concluded the season in the 11th position in the Championship standings. Tom Cleverley had to undergo surgery for an Achilles injury that had sidelined him for a considerable period at the start of the season. Additionally, he suffered a thigh injury in February, further hampering his playing time.
In a statement on Saturday, Tom Cleverley announced his retirement from professional football, expressing the immense difficulties he faced in the past year while trying to overcome injury-related obstacles. Tom Cleverly stated, “Today, I am announcing my retirement from football as a player. Unfortunately, my body has failed me and no longer has the capacity to perform.”
As an academy graduate of Manchester United, Tom Cleverley represented the Old Trafford club in 79 matches before embarking on loan spells with Leicester City, Watford, Wigan Athletic, Aston Villa, and Everton.
Tom Cleverley expressed his gratitude to Manchester United, acknowledging the significant role the club played in his development as both a player and an individual. He referred to them as the foundation and the team that turned his dreams into reality.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone associated with Watford Football Club. It has been an absolute privilege to consider this club my home. The unwavering support and affection you have shown me, from my early days as a loanee to this very moment of my retirement, is something I can never fully repay.”
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