EX-TOTTENHAM stopper Michel Vorm has announced his retirement from football aged 37.
The Dutchman had been without a club since leaving Spurs at the end of his short-term contract in the summer.
Michel Vorm made 48 appearances for SpursCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And having mulled it over in the last few months, Vorm – who also played for Swansea – has decided to call it a day.
He wrote on Instagram: “Dear football and fans, I decided to retire from playing professional football.
“I couldn’t possibly imagine as a little kid growing up in Nieuwegein that it was possible to sign my first professional contract at @fc_utrecht, made my professional debut at @fcdenbosch (on loan) and coming back to FC Utrecht to win the play-offs and playing European football.
“And if that wasn’t enough, I got the opportunity to play in the Premier League for @swansofficial (and be part of their history by winning their first ever point in the Premier League).
“Playing with and against the best players around me gave me the opportunity to keep developing myself and sign for @spursofficial and made me be able to be part of their history and especially the (incredible) road to the Champions League final.
“I am thankful to play for all these clubs and honoured that I was able to represent my country on international tournaments. Being part of such great history of my country is something I am truly grateful for as well.”
The comments were awash with well wishes, including from former Spurs team-mate Ryan Sessegnon, who wrote: “All the best mich🙌🏿”
Fellow Dutch stopper Tim Krul added: “What a guy .. memories for life mate.”
Vorm regularly deputised for Hugo LlorisCredit: Reuters
Vorm got his first taste of British football with SwanseaCredit: Action Images – Reuters
And fellow former Swan Jonathan De Guzman commented: “My man! ❤️❤️❤️”
Vorm arrived in British football in 2011 when he joined Brendan Rodgers’ newly-promoted Swans.
After three years and 97 appearances he swapped South Wales for North London, joining Mauricio Pochettino’s revolution at Spurs.
He made 47 appearances over five years under the Argentine, including games against PSV Eindhoven and Inter Milan on the way to the 2019 Champions League final – as well as captaining the side en route to the FA Cup semi-finals the year before.
Vorm was released after Spurs’ Champions League heartache in 2019, but returned on a short-term deal last October after an injury sustained by Hugo Lloris against Brighton & Hove Albion.
He then made the final appearance of his career back in March, as Spurs went out of the FA Cup to Norwich City on penalties.
Upon his Tottenham exit in July, he said: “We’ve been through a lot together, ups and downs, but definitely more ups in the sense of when I came to the club and where we ended, even though (last) season wasn’t what we expected.
“It’s all a form of learning and you see how high the standard is where we want to be.
“I’ve seen guys grow from Academy players to full internationals, playing in World Cups, a player like Harry Kane, I’ve seen him come through and players in my position, look at Hugo, World Cup winner, and a great captain.
“I know I’m always welcome here and for me, that’s very important.”
Michel Vorm shows off his reaction speed
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
