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Adam Lallana, former Liverpool, Southampton, and England midfielder, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37, bringing an end to a distinguished 19-year career.
Lallana made over 300 Premier League appearances across three clubs—Southampton, Liverpool, and Brighton & Hove Albion. He began his journey at Southampton, joining their academy at the age of 12 and making his senior debut in 2006 as an 18-year-old.
Rising through the ranks, Lallana helped Southampton climb from League One to the Premier League, eventually earning a £25 million move to Liverpool in 2014. That same year, he was named in England’s squad for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
During his six-year spell under Jürgen Klopp at Anfield, Lallana won both the Premier League and Champions League, becoming a key figure in Liverpool’s modern resurgence. He later joined Brighton in 2020, where he enjoyed a successful stint before returning to Southampton last season. He made 14 league appearances and even stepped into a temporary coaching role alongside Simon Rusk following the dismissal of manager Ivan Juric in April.
Lallana announced his retirement in an emotional statement shared on social media:
“As I call time on my playing career, I do so with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride.
I could not be more appreciative of the opportunities I’ve been given and the support I’ve received along the way.You owe so much to so many on a journey like this — it’s impossible to name everyone, but to all those, please know how grateful I am. I couldn’t have done it without you.
It’s crazy to think this all began in the last millennium, when I signed for the academy in 1999. Since making my professional debut in 2006, I realise I’ve been blessed to live the dream that millions of people share.
Southampton… the place where it all started, and fittingly where it ends. It’s the club I ultimately owe everything to.
Liverpool… the chance to represent one of the greatest clubs in the world and win some of the biggest prizes in the game.
Brighton… home to some of the happiest years of my life, at a club deeply connected to its community and run in such a smart, modern way.
And England… every single cap meant the world to me. Representing my country was the greatest honour.
I’m proud of the playing career I’ve had and have no regrets about any of it. I embrace all the highs and all the lows as they’ve shaped me into who I am.
To everyone who made the journey so special—the staff at each club and organisation, the managers and coaches, my teammates, and of course the supporters—thank you.
But most of all, to my own team… my family. My wife Emily, our amazing sons, my mum, dad, and sister—thank you for putting up with me and being in my corner through it all.
I’m excited for whatever the future brings.
Adam.”
Lallana earned 34 caps for England during his international career and was widely admired for his technical skill, vision, and work rate on the pitch. As he steps away from playing, speculation now turns to what’s next for the former midfielder—whether in coaching, punditry, or a new chapter altogether.
