Phil Jagielka has announced his retirement from football at the age of 41.
The former Sheffield United, Everton, Derby County, Stoke City and England centre-back enjoyed a 23-year professional playing career.
He made 376 Premier League appearances spanning across 15 seasons, scoring 18 goals, and won the Premier League Player of the Month award in February 2009 while at Everton.
In total Jagielka played 805 times throughout his career, including 40 caps for England, whom he represented between 2008 and 2016.
He scored three times for the Three Lions and was part of the UEFA Euro 2012 and FIFA World Cup 2014 squads.
"As you can tell by the timing, I've tried to put myself out there for a little bit longer to see if anyone fancied giving me an opportunity to extend it, but they didn't and I understand that," Jagielka told Sky Sports.
"I'm super proud of myself to play at 40.
"If you'd have sat me down as a 15 or 16-year-old kid after being told I wasn't good enough and then fast forward telling me I'd scored at 40, played at 40 and had the career I've had then I don't think I can have too many complaints."
Jagielka's career began at Sheff Utd where he initially spent seven years with the club and gained promotion to the Premier League in 2006.
And his first season in the top flight produced an iconic moment as he replaced injured goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, donning the gloves against Arsenal at Bramall Lane.
Congratulations on an amazing career, Jags! ♥️⚔️@PJags06 👏 pic.twitter.com/oaLhSQ2dAs
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) November 28, 2023
Kenny was forced off with a groin injury while the Blades' reserve goalkeeper, Ian Bennett, was out with a broken finger, leaving Neil Warnock's side without a 'keeper among the substitutes.
Jagielka stepped up and amazingly kept a clean sheet, memorably denying Robin van Persie, as Sheff Utd secured a famous 1-0 win.
The defender joined Everton in 2007 for a reported £4million and went on to spend 12 years with the club, being made captain in 2013.
Enjoy retirement, @PJags06! Congratulations on a fantastic career. 👏💙pic.twitter.com/W1IB7T9roX
— Everton (@Everton) November 28, 2023
Jagielka returned to Sheff Utd in 2019 after his contract expired at Everton. He had a two-year stint at Bramall Lane before joining Derby County in August 2021 for five months, going on to finish his career at Stoke, where he spent one-and-a-half-years.
Jagielka's final match was in the Potters' 2-0 defeat at Watford on 8 May 2023.
Everyone at the Premier League wishes Jagielka the best of luck in his future endeavours.
