Walcott wrote a touching article in INS, reviewing his career. The original text is as follows:
When I was 10 years old, I wore soccer shoes for the first time. For me, this was the beginning of a special journey. From playing football in the park with my friends to going to some of the world’s largest stadiums and facing many fans. During this period of my career, I have received all kinds of incredible support, and I really feel grateful. I fought side by side with many great players on the football field and created many unforgettable memories.
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the coaches and managers I have worked with, especially Harry (Redknapp), who gave me the opportunity at the beginning of his career, and Arsena (Wenger), he gave me trust and support when I joined the club at the age of 16. I have spent more than 18 years in the Premier League, and I will cherish many moments forever:
In the early days of Southampton, I moved to Arsenal, where I spent 12 happy years and scored more than 100 goals. It is every child’s dream to win the FA Cup and score goals in the final. I played 47 times on behalf of England and participated in the 2006 World Cup. At that time, I was only 17 years old and still kept the record of England’s youngest first show and youngest hat trick goal, I will never forget that feeling.
Goood son Park is such a special stadium that Everton will stay in my heart forever. I love playing there, and I will never forget the way fans welcome me and my family.
Finally, return to Southampton to complete the closed loop. This is a great club, a vibrant young team, and I believe they will get better and better. I am very lucky to have the opportunity to continue playing football, but I think hanging boots is the right choice where I started my football career.
Thanks to everyone who has been traveling with me all the way.❤⊙
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Walcott, 34, is a player trained by Southampton youth training camp. In January 2006, Arsenal manager Wenger spent 10.5 million euros to introduce Walcott, and the little tiger started 12 years of Gunners.
It was in 2006 that Walcott was called into England by Eriksson to complete the first-line show of the Three Lions corps and go to the 2006 World Cup with him.
During playing for Arsenal, Walcott played 397 games on behalf of the Gunners, contributing 108 goals and 78 assists, of which 270 were played in the Premier League, 65 goals were scored and 43 assists were made, follow Arsenal to win the FA Cup three times (2014/2015/2017) and win the Community Shield Cup twice (2015/2017).
Tiger left Arsenal in 2018, joined Everton, returned to Southampton in 2020, and scored 5 goals in 59 games. Walcott scored 10 goals in 82 games during his two playing in Southampton.
In the national team, Walcott made 47 appearances for England and scored 8 goals and assists 8 times.
