TOTTENHAM starlet Jamie Bowden has announced his retirement from professional football at just 23 years old.
The highly-rated youngster took to Instagram to reveal that he has been forced to hang up his boots following an ankle injury suffered back in 2022.
Addressing his fans and followers, Bowden wrote: “Sadly, my football playing career has come to an end.
“On August 13th 2022 I suffered an ankle injury that would ultimately ruin my interesting playing career I had ahead of me.
“Firstly, I give thanks for being able to call myself a professional football player and to score a professional goal whilst on loan at Oldham.
“I started kicking balls at such a young age and loved every moment of it. It’s just unfortunate that I was never able to fulfil my potential on the pitch.
“Since then I’ve learnt lots of new things. I’ve learnt that mental health is real and how powerful it can be.
“My love for the game is deep, that football is in my DNA and my want to help is profound. God is with us throughout.
“I want to thank the people that have stuck by me during this hard period, and the people who helped me during my playing days.
“I look forward to see where the beautiful game takes me next.”
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Bowden left the Tottenham academy in July 2023 after over 15 years on the books with the north London club.
The versatile midfielder joined the Spurs setup as a six-year-old and was regularly on the cusp of breaking into the first team – making the bench in the Europa League and Premier League.
As mentioned in his statement, Bowden spent the first half of the 2021/22 season on loan in League Two with Oldham Athletic.
That taste of professional football saw the former Republic of Ireland youth international score his only professional goal, as well as racking up five assists.
Since Bowden’s release from the Spurs academy, he has tried to revitalise his career elsewhere.
A short trial with AFC Wimbledon ended unsuccessfully, before the youngster jetted off to Europe to try and earn a spot with Spanish third tier club Deportivo de la Coruna.
Unfortunately, despite taking part in a friendly match and a number of training sessions, the decision was made not to offer him a contract.
Bowden has hinted that he may continue working in football despite making the decision to stop pursuing the dream of a playing career.
Tottenham offered support to former first team star Ryan Mason following his injury-forced retirement at just 25, with the former England international now an assistant coach under Ange Postecoglou.
Bowden’s former academy teammates were quick to wish him luck in the comments of his retirement post.
Stars such as Dane Scarlett and Alfie Devine were amongst those to pass on a message to the former rising star.
