Adam Lallana returned to Southampton for his final season as a player Former England midfielder Adam Lallana has retired from playing at the age of 37. Lallana, who won 34 caps for his country, returned to Southampton last season after making his name in his first spell there. He joined Liverpool from Saints for £25m in 2014 and went on to win the Premier League and Champions League. "As I call time on my playing career, I do so with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride," Lallana said on hissocial media accounts.,external "Southampton⦠the place where it all started, and fittingly where it ends. It's the club I ultimately owe everything to." Lallana came through Southampton's academy before making his debut for the first team as an 18-year-old in 2006. He went on to feature more than 250 times for Saints and was part of the squad that won back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League. Lallana was captain when he left for Anfield during a summer where he also played for England at the 2014 World Cup. After winning the Champions League with Liverpool in 2019 and the league title the following campaign, Lallana joined Brighton before returning to St Mary's in 2024. He only made five starts as Saints were relegated to the Championship. "I'm proud of the playing career I've had and have no regrets about any of it," Lallana added. "I embrace all the highs and all the lows as they've shaped me into who I am. "To everyone who made the journey so special, the staff at each club and organisation, the managers and coaches, my teammates, and of course the supporters â thank you. "But most of all, to my own team⦠my family. My wife Emily, our amazing sons, my mum, dad and sister, thank you for putting up with me and being in my corner through it all. "I'm excited for whatever the future brings."
Former England midfielder Lallana retires
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"Adam Lallana Retires from Professional Football at Age 37"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Adam Lallana, the former England midfielder, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37, concluding a career that spanned over 16 years. Lallana returned to Southampton for his final season, the club where he began his journey in football. He made his debut for Southampton at the age of 18 and went on to play more than 250 matches for the team, contributing significantly to their rise from League One to the Premier League. In 2014, he made a pivotal move to Liverpool, where he achieved considerable success, including winning the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. Lallana expressed immense gratitude for his time at Southampton, noting that the club was where everything started for him and fittingly where it would end. He reflected on his career with pride, acknowledging the highs and lows that shaped him as a person and player.
Throughout his career, Lallana earned 34 caps for the England national team, including participation in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. After his successful stint at Liverpool, he joined Brighton & Hove Albion before making a return to Southampton in 2024. However, his final season at the club was challenging as Southampton faced relegation to the Championship, and he only made five starts. Despite the difficulties, Lallana emphasized his pride in his career and expressed appreciation for everyone who supported him, including teammates, coaches, and especially his family. He thanked his wife and children for their unwavering support throughout his career and shared his excitement for the future as he embarks on this new chapter in life following his retirement from playing football.
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