Jack Wilshere retires from football

Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere has announced his retirement from football aged 30.

"It has been an unbelievable journey filled with so many incredible moments and I feel privileged to have experienced all that I did during my career," he said.

"From being the little boy kicking a ball around in the garden to captaining my beloved Arsenal and playing for my country at a World Cup. I have lived my dream."

"In truth it has been difficult to accept that my career has been slipping away in recent times due to reasons outside of my control whilst feeling that I have still had so much to give,"

"Having played at the very highest level I have always held such ambitions within the game and if I am truthful I did not envisage being in this position at times.

"However, having had time to reflect and talk with those closest with me I know that now is the right time and despite the difficult moments I look back on my career with great pride at what I have achieved."

"I have enjoyed every moment of my career and it has been the journey of a lifetime," Wilshere added.

"Now is the right time to close this chapter but I still have so much to give to the game and I am excited about what the future holds".