Darius Vassell retires

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Thought he'd done so ages ago.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10146975/former-england-striker-darius-vassell-retires

Former England and Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell has announced his retirement at the age of 35.

The Sutton Coldfield-born player, who had been without a club since 2012, earned 22 England caps, scoring six goals, during the reign of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

He had spells with Manchester City, Turkish side Ankaragucu and Leicester after leaving Villa in 2005.

In a statement released by his management company, Oporto Sports, Vassell said: "I have enjoyed my career in football playing at the highest level, doing something I genuinely loved, and I felt that now was the right time to announce my retirement and look to the next phase of my life."

Vassell played at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004. England reached the quarter-finals of the latter tournament before losing in a penalty shoot-out to hosts Portugal, with Vassell seeing his spot-kick saved by future Leicester team-mate Ricardo.

[PeterWithesShin]

Always makes me feel really old when players that I remember where highly rated when they were in the youth team retire because of age.

[Ad@m]

I can't believe Vassell is only 35 - it seems like he's been going forever.

[DeeBoy1]

Thanks for the memories Darius, always gave everything. Met him in SoBar once and he was just a lovely unassuming lad. I'll never forget how proud I was when he scored that overhead kick for England (was it his debut??).

[TheMalandro]

Good old toe driller. Probably shouldn't remember him for that but I will.
Echo the above posters sentiment, I also enjoyed one of ours making his England debut.

[Witton Warrior]

I remember feeling genuinely concerned for him when I saw all the bat-shit crazy stuff in Turkey. Worked with his cousin when he was with us and he said he was a really pleasant, unassuming bloke who just like playing football.

[LeeB]

Better than Gabby.

[greenwichvilla]

My mate got into an argument with someone about the pronunciation of his name and got head butted.

Later in life we were working with someone who went out with him and she texted him to tell him that story. He replied with 'lol'.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Better than Gabby.

Could you justify that statement. Their career goal scoring stats are certainly very similar. 

[brian green]

I took a Cambridge lad up to Market Harborough for a Villa trial. A couple of the scouts asked what position my lad played. I told them he was a striker to which they replied I had wasted my time because this lad Vassell was playing.  Darius scored six goals in the first half hour. Where did that 20 years go?

[PaulWinch again]

Without a club since 2012, that's a bloody long time looking for a club! Oh well good luck in retirement.

[brian green]

Posterity will remember him for drilling his toe and the Radio 4 repeats of his Turkish diary. Great lad, wish him a happy retirement.

[Dave Cooper please]

I was just about to say that I was sure he had been playing for some non-league teams recently but then I realised I was thinking about Julian Joachim not Darius.

[TheMalandro]

It was Oadby Town wasn't it?

[Dave Cooper please]

It was Oadby Town wasn't it?

Amongst loads of others including Hinckley, Shepshed Dynamo, Quorn and Coalville. I think he still owns a restaurant in Leicester.