Former Togo international, Emmanuel Adebayor, on Tuesday announced his retirement from football at 39.
Adebayor has enjoyed a 22-year career, which saw him play in France, England, Spain, Turkey, Paraguay and his native Togo.
He scored 97 goals in 241 appearances in the Premier League, playing for Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Crystal Palace.
That record places him 35th on the list of the league’s all-time top scorers, between Tottenham forward Son Heung-min and Nigerian striker Yakubu. While he spent most of his career in the Premier League, he also turned out for Metz and Monaco in France, Real Madrid in Spain and Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey.
He has now announced his decision to hang up his boots. “SEA, from the highs to the lows, my career as a professional athlete has been an incredible journey,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Thank you to my fans for being there every step of the way. I’m feeling so grateful for everything, and excited for what’s to come!”
Adebayor made his name at Arsenal, who signed him from Monaco for £3million in January 2006. He stayed for three years in Arsene Wenger ’s side and exploded onto the scene by scoring 30 times in the 2007/08 season.
