Theo Walcott announces immediate retirement from football at age 34

Theo Walcott has announced his retirement from football following his departure from Southampton at the end of last season.

Walcott, who scored more than 100 goals for Arsenal and won 47 England caps, had been linked with a move to Bournemouth and League One outfit Reading earlier this summer.

But the 34-year-old has called time on his career, confirming his retirement with a social media post, having made 563 club appearances and won three FA Cups alongside two Community Shields.

Walcott, who scored 129 goals in all competitions, spent the majority of his career in north London at Arsenal after joining the club in January 2006 aged 16 from Southampton.

The former Arsenal, Everton and Southampton winger scored 80 goals in 397 Premier League appearances.