MX23RW : Wednesday, November 27 16:28:26| >> :120:10735:10735:

Former Wales defender James Collins announces retirement

Former Wales defender James Collins announces retirement
© Reuters
The central defender won 51 caps for his country.

Former Wales defender James Collins has announced his retirement from playing.

Collins, who played for Cardiff, Aston Villa, West Ham and Ipswich, won 51 caps for Wales and helped Chris Coleman's side to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

"This will not come as a surprise to most people as I haven't played for a season now," Collins posted on Instagram.

"But with a heavy heart I've decided to officially retire from football.

"After a lot of thought I believe this is the best thing to do so I can draw a line under my 20 year career and move on to my next chapter in life."

Collins made over 400 senior appearances after making his Cardiff debut in 2000, 214 of which came during two spells at West Ham from 2005-09 and 2012-18.

ID:418716: cacheID:418716:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1680:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool midfielder Harry Wilson pictured in Wales training on September 5, 2020
Read Next:
Harry Wilson leaves Liverpool on loan for Cardiff
>
Read more about James Collins Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!