Former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has retired from football at the age of 33 due to injury.
Cleverly, announced his retirement in a post on his Instagram page.
“The last year has been immensely difficult trying to overcome the obstacles of injury.
“Unfortunately my body has failed me and just hasn’t got the capacity to perform anymore.
“To all those involved with Watford Football Club. I have the privilege of calling this club home.
“To captain this club has been an honour and the staff, players and fans will forever be in my heart.
“The love you have shown me as a young loanee up to the moment I retire as a grown man I can never repay.”
Cleverly has had a dreadful run of injuries which limited him to just four appearances last season for Championship side Watford.
His final outing for Watford saw him come on as a substitute in the home game with Blackburn in February.
He had played the first three games of the campaign but was then sidelined by an ankle injury which eventually required surgery.
He was due to start in the away game at Burnley on February 14, but sustained a thigh injury in the warm-up and that ended his season.
He made 181 appearances for the Hornets, including a loan spell in the 2009/10 season, and then again in 2017 after which he signed permanently.
Cleverley scored a total of 19 goals for Watford, the last of them being the only goal in a 1-0 victory over eventual Championship winners Burnley at Vicarage Road in August.
It is understood that Cleverley will be staying at Vicarage Road, most likely as a coach within the Academy.
Cleverly was part of the Manchester United squad that won the Premier League title in 2013.
Also, he won the FA Community Shield in 2011 and 2013.
2 Comments
His time is passed already. Weldon anyways
Coach your village team for a start