- Jan Vertonghen will retire from football at the end of the season, citing physical difficulties
- The 37-year-old is Belgium’s most-capped player with 157 appearances
- Injuries have restricted him to just five matches for Anderlecht this season
Key Takeaways:
Former Tottenham and Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen announced that he will retire from football at the end of the current campaign. The 37-year-old, who currently captains Belgian side Anderlecht, explained that his physical condition is the main reason behind the decision to step away from the game.
A remarkable career is coming to an end.
Thank you for the memories, @JanVertonghen 🤍 pic.twitter.com/uRaMeetutq
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 25, 2025
Vertonghen won two Eredivisie titles with Ajax before making the switch to Tottenham in 2012. He featured in 315 matches for the London club and played a key role in their run to the Champions League final in 2019. The veteran defender retired from international duty last year and still holds the record for most appearances with the Belgian national team, having represented the Red Devils 157 times.
“I’ve noticed it’s becoming increasingly difficult to physically prepare for training and matches and to maintain the level I want to be at as a player. That’s why I’ll stop playing football after the end of this season,” Vertonghen stated. A series of injuries have hampered his time at Anderlecht, limiting him to only five appearances so far this season.