Jan Vertonghen announces retirement from football | OneFootball

On the player's official Instagram account, former Tottenham Hotspur central defender and fan favourite Jan Vertonghen, currently playing for Belgian Pro League side Anderlecht, has announced he will hang up his boots at the end of the current season.

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender announces his retirement from football

The defender explained his reasoning (not that he has to), saying: "I have noticed that it is becoming more difficult to prepare myself physically for training sessions and matches and to show myself as the player I want to be - not only to fans and fellow players but to myself. That's why I'll be stopping after this season."

Vertonghen signed for Spurs from Ajax in the summer of 2012, and stayed at the club for eight years. During that time, he became very popular at the club and within the fanbase for his consistent performances at the heart of the backline.

Even when perhaps past his best in 2019, he put in a monstrous display at home to Borussia Dortmund, scoring and assisting in a 3-0 win from left wing back. Even in the final, despite defeat he was very good.

On that note, Alderweireld - whom was also set to retire at the end of the season - picked up a rough injury in his last appearance for Royal Antwerp, so may well have already played his last ever career game.

As for Vertonghen, there are a few games remaining. Although Anderlecht cannot win the Belgian Pro League from here, there is the Belgian Cup final against Club Brugge that is set to take place on the 1st of May. What a way to go out that would be.

The game before that is a league game against Royal Antwerp, It is such a shame about the aforementioned Alderweireld injury almost certainly depriving us of one final duel between two Spurs cult heroes.

It really has been some career for Vertonghen. To date, he has played 880 career games, 723 at club level - 315 for Spurs - and 157 for Belgium - which by 25 caps is their national team record. Plenty to be extremely proud of.

To think, Spurs had the two Belgians in central defence, with prime Kyle Walker at right back, Danny Rose at left back, and Hugo Lloris in goal. Once again, such a shame that that side did not win anything. Still, this is a positive piece, celebrating the career of a modern day Spurs great.