Football News: Former Aston Villa and England midfielder Fabian Delph retires at the age of 32

The former Leeds United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton, and England midfielder has been without a club since leaving Goodison Park after the previous season. Delph started 204 Premier League games.

Before becoming a free agent, Delph made 11 league appearances for Everton in the previous season.

However, Delph stated on Tuesday that he is retiring after 16 years in the professional game.

In a statement, Delph said, "So today I announce my retirement with nothing but happiness and gratitude for what this beautiful game has given me. Massive shout out to my family, friends, players and staff from the amazing clubs I have been fortunate enough to represent as well as the support I have had from the fans."

He has not announced what he intends to do now that his playing career is ended, although he may shortly promote via social media.

Career highlights of Fabian Delph

Delph, born in Bradford and graduated from the Leeds academy, won the Premier League twice with City and finished second in the FA Cup and League Cup when playing for Aston Villa.

Delph made his professional debut with Leeds in 2007 and his Premier League debut with Aston Villa two years later.

The midfielder established himself as a prominent player at Villa Park during the 2012/13 season under Paul Lambert and made his England debut in August 2014.

After making his national team debut in 2014, he earned 20 senior England caps. All three of Delph's World Cup appearances for England were at the 2018 tournament.

The versatile player started twice during the tournament, helping England advance to the semifinals before falling to Croatia.

In 2019, he made his final appearance for the Three Lions, starting England's Nations League, and earned a third-place play-off victory against Switzerland.

Then, in January 2015, when his weird Manchester City story unfolded, Delph told reporters that he would not depart Aston Villa that summer.

In July, he agreed to terms to join Manchester City, only to return before his medical and issue a statement announcing he would not be leaving. A week later, he reversed his decision and was introduced as a City player.

It was part of Delph's fascinating career, which includes this amusing video with Kevin De Bruyne. He won the Premier League twice with Manchester City, but in recent years he has been troubled by injuries.

Delph left City for Everton in 2019, but injury issues limited him to 41 games in all competitions during his three-year tenure with the Toffees.

Mikel John Obi, a former Chelsea great, has also announced his retirement at the age of 35.

The two-time Premier League champion has ended his 18-year professional career, which included 11 years at Stamford Bridge.

Following stints with Middlesbrough and Stoke, the Nigerian midfielder's final club was Kuwait SC.