Campbell announces retirement
Former Arsenal, Spurs and England defender hangs up his bootsLast Updated: May 2, 2012 1:29pm
Former Arsenal, Tottenham and Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell has announced his retirement from professional football.Now 37 years of age, the ex-England international has taken the decision to hang up his boots.
Campbell last turned out for Newcastle during the 2010/11 campaign, before being released by the Magpies after just one season on Tyneside.
He was unable to find a new club for 2011/12 and feels the time is right to take his career in a different direction.
A product of the White Hart Lane academy system, Campbell made his Spurs debut against Chelsea in December 1992.
ControversyHe captained Tottenham to League Cup glory in 1999, but caused controversy two years later when he left the club as a free agent and crossed the North London divide to sign for Arsenal.
Campbell spent five years with the Gunners, during which time he won two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and netted in the 2006 UEFA Champions League final.
After admitting that he was looking for a 'new challenge' in the summer of 2006, he agreed to join Harry Redknapp's revolution at Portsmouth.
More FA Cup success followed in 2008, but 12 months on he left Fratton Park at the end of his contract.
In a shock move he signed a five-year contract with Notts County in August 2009, with the Magpies' new owners outlining ambitious plans, but all was not as it seemed at Meadow Lane and he made just one appearance before walking away on 22nd September.
Campbell returned to Arsenal in an effort to maintain his fitness and was handed a short-term deal by Arsene Wenger in January 2010.
EmotionalAn emotional return to Emirates Stadium saw him become a regular starter towards the end of the 2009/10 campaign and he passed the 200 appearance mark for the Gunners in all competitions.
There was to be no summer extension, though, and he moved on to Newcastle, penning a one-year contract at St James' Park.
Campbell struggled to make an impression in the North East and made just eight appearances for the Magpies.
In all, a career which spanned almost 20 years saw him make 646 appearances at club level.
On the international stage, Campbell graced three World Cups, made three European Championship squads and won 73 caps for his country.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7723084/Campbell-announces-retirement
