A 32-year-old former Sheffield Wednesday forward has officially retired from professional football. Sam Winnall, who played for the Owls from 2017 to 2020, making 43 appearances and scoring six goals, recently revealed his decision on LinkedIn. Despite not achieving the dream scenario of playing for a top club like Arsenal or representing England, Winnall expressed gratitude for making a living by scoring goals throughout his career, which included stints at Scunthorpe United, Barnsley, Derby County, Oxford United, and Burton Albion, accumulating a total of 105 goals.
Winnall, who had been without a contract since leaving Burton Albion, cited various reasons for his retirement, including injuries and setbacks that negatively impacted his experience in the sport.
In his post, he mentioned that the physical toll of the game, along with issues like rejection and broken promises, led him to the decision to step away. Despite his Hillsborough tenure not meeting the expectations set during his transfer from Barnsley, Winnall is fondly remembered by Wednesday supporters for a memorable celebration during a match against Oakwell, where he playfully acknowledged fans who threw a ‘Peppa Pig’ soft toy onto the field.
In addition to announcing his retirement, Winnall shared his plans to pursue a career in psychotherapy, a field he has been studying for over two years. Expressing gratitude in his announcement, he thanked teammates, managers, coaches, support staff, fans, his agent, friends, and most importantly, his family and partner for their unwavering support throughout his football journey.
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