Welsh international and Swansea City legend Joe Allen has announced his retirement from professional football aged 35, after amassing over 200 appearances for the Swans.
Coming through the club’s academy and debuting in the 2006-07 campaign, Allen re-signed for Swansea in 2022, having played for Liverpool and Stoke City throughout his career.
Announced via a statement on Swansea City’s official website, the midfielder has accumulated 77 caps for Wales, representing his nation at three major tournaments.
Breakthrough at Swansea City
Coming through the ranks for the South Wales club, Allen’s first taste of professional football came in a Wrexham shirt, enjoying a two-month loan spell with the club in 2008.
Allen became an established figure in the Swans’ first team in 2009-10 under Paolo Sousa and flourished under Brendan Rodgers in the following season when the club achieved promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
A most notable moment amongst Swansea City folklore was the midfielder’s equalising goal away at bitter rivals Cardiff City.
The midfielder’s performances continued to stand out, with his first season in England’s top flight attracting the attention of Liverpool, where the midfielder moved for a £15m fee.
A nearly champion
In a four-year spell at Anfield, the Welshman was close to accomplishing a legendary feat for the Merseyside club.
Making an instant impression at the club, under his former Swansea City coach Brendan Rodgers Allen was part of the 2012-13 squad that came stressfully close to securing their first Premier League title since 1990.
Maintaining his place in the Reds’ first team, he spent a further three years with the club, making 132 appearances scoring on seven occasions.
International success
Throughout 77 international caps for his home nation, Allen was integral to many feats and records for Wales.
Crucial in the middle during Wales’ run to the 2016 Euros semi-final, the side captured the hearts of a nation after their elimination against Portugal.
Also assisting his country to a first World Cup in 58 years, Allen also scored on two occasions throughout international duty.
Move to Stoke City
The Narberth-born middleman made the switch from Liverpool to fellow top-flight club Stoke City in 2016 for a fee of £13m.
Going on to make 221 appearances for the Potters, Allen enjoyed a particularly prolific spell in front of goal, scoring on 20 occasions for the Staffordshire outfit – his most for any club.
Staying with the club amid their relegation to the Championship in 2017-18, the seasoned midfielder was an established figure in the Stoke City first team for six years.
Return to his boyhood club.
Upon the expiration of his contract with Stoke, Allen made a return to Swansea City in the Championship.
Playing under Russel Martin, Michael Duff, and Luke Williams, the 35-year-old has led by example, his experience has been paramount to the playing squad.
Amid his retirement, his club has bid the player “Diolch Joe” after establishing a legacy with his boyhood club.