Jan Vertonghen: the former Tottenham Hotspur defender announces retirement from professional football

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen will retire from professional football at the end of the season.

The Anderlecht Captain, 37, has made 315 appearances for Spurs between 2012 and 2020 – twice nominated in the team of the year of the PFA Premier League – as well as helping the club to reach the Champions League final in 2019.

He retired from international football last year as the owner of the record appearance for Belgium with 157 hats.

The injury limited the central defender to just five games for Anderlecht this season.

“I noticed that it is becoming increasingly difficult to physically prepare for training sessions and games and show me as the player I want to be,” he said.