FORMER Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has announced his retirement from professional football.
The 34-year-old broke the news to fans with an emotional statement on Instagram.
It read: “I left Warsaw, my hometown in June of 2006 to join Arsenal with one dream – to make a living out of football.
“Little did I know it would be a start of a journey of a lifetime.
“Little did I know that I would get to play for the biggest clubs in the world and represent my country 84 times.
“Little did I know that not only would I make a living out of the game but the game would become my whole life.
“I didn’t just realise my dreams, I’ve arrived where my imagination wouldn’t even dare to take me.
“I played the game at the highest level with the best players in history without ever feeling inferior.
“I’ve made friends for life, created unforgettable memories and met people who have made an incredible impact on my life. Everything that I have and everything that I am I owe to the beautiful game of football…
“But I also gave the game all I had. I gave the game 18 years of my life, everyday, without excuses. Today, tough my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore.
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“I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family – my amazing wife Marina and our two beautiful children Liam and Noelia.
“Therefore I have decided to retire from professional football.”
Szczesny joined Arsenal’s youth set-up from Leiga Warsaw in 2006 and was promoted to the senior squad just three years later.
He went on to make 181 appearances for the Gunners during his eight-year spell.
The goalkeeper, who also has 84 caps for Poland to his name, then signed for Juventus in a £10million transfer and spent the remaining seven years of his career in Italy.
Szczesny became a free agent earlier this month after terminating his Juventus contract.
Concluding his retirement announcement, he wrote: “Now, every story has an end but in life every ending is a new beggining.
“What this new path will bring for me only the time will tell. But if the last 18 years have taught me anything it is that nothing is impossible and believe me, I’m going to dream BIG!”
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