Former Stoke City striker Saido Berahino has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 33. The forward confirmed his decision in a statement posted on social media on Tuesday, bringing an end to a career that included 56 appearances for the Potters between 2017 and 2019.
Berahino wrote that he was "grateful for every moment" of his career, which began at West Bromwich Albion and also included spells at clubs in Belgium and Cyprus. He joined Stoke City in a high-profile move in January 2017 but struggled to recapture his early Premier League form, scoring five times for the club. His final professional appearance came for AEL Limassol in Cyprus last season.
The news arrives as the current Stoke City squad, sitting sixth in the <a href="/standings">Championship table</a> with 19 points from 11 games, prepares for a <a href="/fixtures">home fixture against Bristol City this Saturday</a>. The team's recent form has been strong, with four wins in their last five matches, including a 1-0 victory at Derby County last weekend secured by a Luke Graham goal in the 78th minute. Their record of six wins, one draw, and four losses has them four points off the top of the table.
He was signed by then-manager Mark Hughes for a fee reported to be around £12 million, with the club hoping he would be a key figure in their attack. His departure in 2019 came as the club sought to rebuild following relegation to the Championship.
Stoke's current attacking options, including George Hirst and Róbert Boženík, have contributed to a positive goal difference this season, with the team scoring 18 and conceding 16. Boženík scored in the 2-3 defeat to Middlesbrough, with George Hirst providing the assist. The side is just four points behind league leaders Swansea City as they continue their push for promotion. Berahino's retirement closes a chapter for a player whose potential once made him one of English football's most talked-about prospects.
The original report is at The Sentinel
