Following spells in France, England, Spain, Turkey, and Togo, Adebayor has hung up his boots.
Emmanuel Adebayor has announced his retirement from professional football aged 39.
The former striker hangs up his boots after ending a 20-month spell at Togolese club AC Semassi FC this year.
“SEA, from the highs to the lows, my career as a professional athlete has been an incredible journey,” Adebayor said in an Instagram video.
“Thank you to my fans for being there every step of the way. I’m feeling so grateful for everything, and excited for what’s to come!”
Emmanuel Adebayor announced his official retirement from football at 39 years old.
Not much compares to THAT celebration against Arsenal 😎 pic.twitter.com/pq1OS3UjMZ
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) March 21, 2023
Adebayor began his professional football career in 2001 at Metz. A successful spell at AS Monaco later earned him a €10 million switch to Arsenal in January 2006.
At the Emirates, Adebayor developed into one of Europe’s most potent frontmen. The Togolese scored 62 goals in 142 games under legendary Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. He then swapped the Gunners for Manchester City in 2009 for €29 million but struggled to make the same impact.
After a brief loan spell at Real Madrid in 2011, Adebayor played for Tottenham and Crystal Palace. He left the Premier League in 2016 with 97 goals and 41 assists in 242 games.
Stints at Turkish clubs Istanbul Basaksehir, Kayserispor, and Olimpia followed before Adebayor returned to his native Togo to play for Semassi in July 2021.
The 2007 BBC African Footballer of the Year ended his European club career with 207 goals and 65 assists in 593 matches.
At the international level, Adebayor won 66 caps for Togo and scored 29 times.
“Emmanuel Adebayor” by Ronnie Macdonald is licensed under CC BY 2.0. The image was modified.
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