MX23RW : Thursday, December 26 02:15:14| >> :120:50873:50873:

Former Wales defender James Collins announces retirement

Former Wales defender James Collins announces retirement
© Reuters
The central defender won 51 caps for his country.

Former Wales defender James Collins has announced his retirement from playing.

Collins, who played for Cardiff, Aston Villa, West Ham and Ipswich, won 51 caps for Wales and helped Chris Coleman's side to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

"This will not come as a surprise to most people as I haven't played for a season now," Collins posted on Instagram.

"But with a heavy heart I've decided to officially retire from football.

"After a lot of thought I believe this is the best thing to do so I can draw a line under my 20 year career and move on to my next chapter in life."

Collins made over 400 senior appearances after making his Cardiff debut in 2000, 214 of which came during two spells at West Ham from 2005-09 and 2012-18.

ID:418716: cacheID:418716:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1680:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool midfielder Harry Wilson pictured in Wales training on September 5, 2020
Read Next:
Harry Wilson leaves Liverpool on loan for Cardiff
>
Read more about James Collins Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!