Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere has announced his retirement from playing aged just 30, The Sun reported.
The former England international, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, signed for Danish side AGF back in February.
But he announced earlier this week that he had left the Scandinavian side after just five months by “mutual consent”.
Now he has confirmed on Twitter that he is hanging up his boots for good with speculation mounting that he will become Arsenal’s new U18s coach.
In a lengthy post, Wilshere wrote: “Today I am announcing my retirement from playing professional football.
“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 the ball around in the garden to captaining my beloved Arsenal and playing for my country at a World Cup. I have lived the dream.”
“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 highest level I have always held huge 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 to me I know that now is the right time and despite the difficult moments I look back on my career with great pride in what I have achieved.
“Playing at the very highest level with some of the best players in the world, winning FA Cups, captaining my club and representing my country was beyond my wildest dreams when I was a small boy growing up in Hitchin.
“I feel very fortunate to have had the career I’ve had but none of it would have been possible if it wasn’t for the love and support of so many people.”
Wilshere went on to thank a host of key figures that have helped him along the day, including former managers, coaches, teammates and his representatives as well as all of his old clubs.
But he had some extra special words about Arsenal, saying: “To the best supporters on the planet, all of you Arsenal fans, thank you all from the bottom of my heart.