Tottenham Hotspur icon announces he will retire at the end of the season
One Tottenham Hotspur legend has now confirmed that he will be hanging up his boots from the game at the end of the season because his body can no longer keep up with the demands of the game.
While many outstanding attackers have graced the pitches at White Hart Lane and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium throughout the Premier League era, the same cannot be said about defenders.
Spurs have not been blessed with too many world-class centre-backs over the years, but one of those is undoubtedly Jan Vertonghen.
The Belgian, who arrived at Tottenham from Ajax back in 2012, spent eight years at the club, going on to make 315 appearances in a Lilywhite shirt, and Spurs fans will be saddened by his latest announcement.
Vertonghen announces retirement from football
Vertonghen was a key part of the Mauricio Pochettino revolution at Tottenham, helping the club reach the Champions League final in 2019 and wining being named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year twice.
The 37-year-old, who is now the captain of Anderlecht and has a record 157 caps for Belgium, has now announced that he will be signing off from the game at the end of the campaign.
The Tottenham legend told BBC Sport: “I have noticed that it is becoming more and more difficult to prepare myself physically for training sessions and matches and to show myself as the player I want to be. Not only towards the fans and my fellow players but also towards myself. That is why I will be stopping after this season.”
Jan Vertonghen is the greatest Tottenham defender since Ledley King
Vertonghen will go down in many people’s estimation as the second-best defender Spurs have had in the Premier League era after the great Ledley King.
His sheer longevity and consistency at the very top level give him the edge over the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Michael Dawson.
The Belgian will always be considered a hero at N17, and one would expect him to make plenty of trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to watch his beloved side once his playing commitments are over.
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