Republic of Ireland international Walters retires from football

Republic of Ireland and Burnley striker Jonathan Walters has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect.

The 35-year-old has been out injured since September after suffering an Achilles injury while on loan with Championship club Ipswich Town, and he revealed on Twitter that the problem had prompted him to call it a day.

“Isn’t it ironic…my Achilles heel has literally been my Achilles heel and finished me off,” he wrote.

“I am now retired form playing football. It’s been epic.”

Isn’t it ironic…my Achilles heel has literally been my Achilles heel and finished me off!

I am now retired from playing football

It’s been epic

Veni vidi vici pic.twitter.com/ZC3m0LmYn5

— Jonathan Walters (@JonWalters19) March 22, 2019

Walters won 54 Ireland caps between 2010 and 2018 and made 233 Premier League appearances for Stoke City and Burnley, scoring 43 goals.

Clarets forward Peter Crouch described Walters as “one of the best” strike partners he had worked with, while Ireland international Seamus Coleman called him “an inspirational player”.

SC: Jonathan Walters was an inspirational player for Ireland. It’s sad to see him go #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/lcfXW6CnA5

— FAIreland ⚽️