Celtic title-winner Victor Wanyama has called time on his professional career.
The 34-year-old was recently playing in a legends match for Southampton against Manchester United during the March international break, and has been without a club since the summer.
But on Friday, Wanyama announced on Instagram that ‘A boy from Muthurwa with a big dream’ represented ‘Six different clubs’ and ‘from four different countries’ during his career.
That journey in Europe exploded into life in the colours of Celtic, as the likes of Alistair Johnston and Joe Ledley paid their respects to Wanyama following his announcement.
What a player! Share us your best Wanyama moments….
Wanyama retires!
Alistair Johnston, Joe Ledley and Celtic laud Victor Wanyama’s career
Only last season, Wanyama was playing under Neil Lennon at Dunfermline. It proved to be the final stop of his trophy-winning career.
Unfortunately, the hard-hitting midfielder’s engine had died down. It could no longer operate at the intense and incredible speed it did during the peak of his powers.
Injuries played a part in that, but when Wanyama was at his best, he was unstoppable in the middle of the park and a well-loved figure during his playing career.
When the Kenyan star announced his retirement on social media, he received floods of messages, including from those who knew him at Celtic, Southampton and Spurs.
“Today, I announce my retirement from football,” wrote Wanyama. “Four different countries. Six different clubs. A boy from Muthurwa with a big dream, carrying a nation’s pride every time I stepped onto the pitch.
To my family, friends, agent, the fans, and the coaching staff that helped me throughout my career – Thank you for walking this journey with me.
“I now take my next step into coaching, where I will be completing my UEFA A License this year.”
- Celtic: ‘Wishing you all the best, Victor!’
- Johnston: ‘All the best in the next chapter, lad.’
- Ledley: ‘Congratulations on a fantastic career, warrior!’
- Jose Fonte: ‘Congratulations, Lion of Muthurwa, with you, football was easy!’
- Spurs: ‘Congratulations on a fantastic career.’
- Southampton: ‘What an incredible career, Victor.’
- Jackson Irvine: ‘Legend.’
Wanyama’s career in numbers
Wanyama’s first-ever professional club was Beerschot A.C. in Belgium, and that’s when the eagle eye of Celtic, led by Lennon, secured his services in 2011.
That would be the start of a tremendous career for Wanyama, whose most magical moment in the famous green and white colours probably came against Barcelona.
That road then led the midfielder to the dizzy heights and financially rewarding English Premier League, where he represented Southampton with great effect and played for Tottenham in the Champions League.
Given Celtic’s struggles in midfield today, they could do with Wanyama in the middle of the park right now, because it’s what Martin O’Neill needs.
- Games: 388
- Goals: 27
- Assists: 15
- Trophies: 4
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