Ex-Arsenal, Tottenham and Real Madrid star Emmanuel Adebayor announces retirement aged 39 after 22 year career

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR has announced his retirement from football at the age of 39.

The Togo striker enjoyed a 22-year career at the highest level, turning out for some of football’s biggest clubs.

Adebayor was best known for his career in the Premier League.

The hitman turned out for Arsenal, Man City, Tottenham and Crystal Palace.

But Adebayor also enjoyed spells in France and Turkey, while taking in six months at Real Madrid too.

Adebayor was also part of the Togo side which came under attack from gunmen in 2010, leaving three people dead.

He confirmed his exit from the beautiful game on social media.

Adebayor told fans: “From the highs to the lows, my career as a professional athlete has been an incredible journey.

“Thank you to my fans for being there every step of the way.

“I am feeling so grateful for everything and I am excited for what is to come.”

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Adebayor began his pro career at Metz in 2001 before joining Monaco two years later.

Arsenal then snapped him up in 2006 for just £3million.

And Adebayor went on to score 62 goals before a £25m move to Man City in 2009.

He famously celebrated in front of Arsenal fans after scoring in a 4-2 win at the Etihad, running the full length of the pitch before sliding to his knees.

After 19 goals for City, Adebayor was loaned to Real Madrid for six months in January 2011 before bagging eight strikes.

He then returned to the Premier League with Spurs in the summer, scoring 42 times before later joining Crystal Palace in 2015.

However, Adebayor only netted once for the Eagles and was booted off to Super Lig side Istanbul Basaksehir after a year.

He spent three years in the Turkish capital, adding 28 goals to his career tally.

Adebayor then continued in the Super Lig after joining Kayserispor in 2019, netting twice.

And in 2020 he made a shock move to Paraguayan outfit Olimpia, departing six months later after zero goals in four appearances.

Adebayor resurrected his career a year later at Semassi, with the Togolese side becoming his final club.

He also won 85 caps for Togo, scoring 32 goals in the process.