Swansea City and Wales midfielder Joe Allen has confirmed that he will retire from professional football after Saturday’s final game of the Championship season. The 35-year-old, who is set to become a free agent this summer, has decided to end his playing career following an illustrious journey that has seen him make nearly 600 club appearances and earn 77 caps for Wales.

A Key Figure in Wales’ Golden Era

Allen has been a central figure in Wales’ most successful period in recent history, representing the national team at three major tournaments, including Euro 2016, when Wales made a historic run to the semi-finals. He also featured at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, where he started Wales’ final match against England.

Reflecting on his career, Allen admitted that retirement wasn’t an easy decision: “This is incredibly difficult. I’ve spent a lot of time pondering it,” said Allen. “The timing’s right. I made the decision about a month ago, and I’ve really enjoyed the final few weeks.”

A Career that Spanned Clubs and Countries

Allen’s club career began at Swansea, where he rose through the ranks to make his first-team debut at just 16. He played a pivotal role in the club’s rise, helping them win the League One title and secure promotion to the Premier League in 2011. Allen’s success at Swansea earned him a move to Liverpool in 2012, where he made 132 appearances, followed by a £13m transfer to Stoke City in 2016. Over six seasons at Stoke, Allen became an influential figure, making over 200 appearances for the Potters before returning to Swansea in 2022.

Looking Forward to His Final Match

Allen will play his final match for Swansea against Oxford United on Saturday. As he approaches his retirement, the midfielder expressed his pride at his career achievements: “I’m very proud. I never thought I’d play as many games as I have, for clubs and for Wales.”

Wales’ head coach, Craig Bellamy, may feel a sense of loss as Allen retires, especially after bringing him out of international retirement last year. Allen had previously retired from international duty in February 2023 but made a return to help Wales in their World Cup campaign.

A Legacy of Hard Work and Dedication

Throughout his career, Allen has been known for his work ethic and leadership, both on and off the pitch. His influence, even in his later years, has been invaluable to Swansea and Wales, and he will leave behind a lasting legacy as one of the country’s finest midfielders.