Ben Foster announces retirement as ex-Man Utd and England keeper hangs up gloves

by 24britishtvSept. 15, 2022, 6:01 p.m. 45
-

Former Manchester United and England goalkeeper Ben Foster has announced his retirement from football at the age of 39.

The eight-cap Three Lions international won the League Cup on three occasions - twice with United and once with Birmingham City - and made 536 senior appearances at club level during his career. He was released by Watford at the expiry of his contract this summer and turned down a move to Newcastle this season.

Foster confirmed he was hanging up his gloves via a video released on his popular YouTube channel titled 'It's time to say goodbye'. The Leamington Spa native said: "I've got an announcement to make, it's a big one. The time has finally come for me to announce my retirement."

Foster opened up on how Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was willing to meet his sizeable wage demands to bring him to St James' Park, after the Magpies were left light of options in goal following Martin Dubravka's loan departure to Manchester United and the injury suffered by Karl Darlow. However, the former West Brom shot-stopper decided against the move to Tyneside as it is a four-hour car journey from his family home in the Midlands, where he lives with his wife and two children.

Foster admitted the exciting project at cash-rich Newcastle "was really interesting to me" and confessed he was somewhat surprised when his lofty wage demands were met. However, he added: "I just didn't want to do it. The wrench of it was I'd have to move away from home and that would kill me.

"If I'm in an apartment in Newcastle away from my family by myself, I don't think people can understand, that's really hard to do. Especially at the age I am and everything I've got going on.

What are your favourite memories from Ben Foster's career? Have your say in the comments!

"It would be incredible [to work with Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope], Popey is the man. I love Nick Pope, their goalie coach [Adam Bartlett] is a top man, they've got a British core of players, the gaffer, I know for a fact if I'd have gone there I would have had an amazing time.

"The lads would have been brilliant and I would have buzzed off the stadium, the fans, all that kind of stuff. The overriding sinking feeling was I don't want to do this. That gut feeling, you know when people say you have to go with your gut feeling and I had this feeling deep down, I just don't want to do it."

Outside of football, Foster has amassed a following of 1.18million subscribers on his YouTube, called 'The Cycling GK', where he posts cycling videos and matchday vlogs, while he also runs the 'Fozcast' podcast.

-

Related Articles

HOT TRENDS

Big Mood review – Nicola Coughlan is a force of nature

by 24britishtvMarch 29, 2024, 3 a.m.2
HOT TRENDS

50 Cent Denies Daphne Joy Sexual & Physical Abuse Allegations

by 24britishtvMarch 29, 2024, 3 a.m.2
HOT TRENDS

50 Cent Denies Ex Daphne Joy’s Rape and Abuse Allegations

by 24britishtvMarch 29, 2024, 2 a.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Stephen Bear to pay £27k over illegal sex tape of Georgia Harrison

by 24britishtvMarch 29, 2024, 1 a.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter: The verdict - is it Yeehaw or No Ma'am?

by 24britishtvMarch 29, 2024, midnight2
HOT TRENDS

Everything to know on ITV courtroom drama The Twelve starring Sam Neill

by 24britishtvMarch 29, 2024, midnight2
HOT TRENDS

Everything to know on ITV courtroom drama The Twelve starring Sam Neill

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 11 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

FA charges Tonali over alleged betting rules breaches

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 11 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Isle of Man closer to assisted dying legalisation

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 10 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Watch: Comedian Ed Gamble in the hot dog house over tour poster

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 10 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Fallen 'Crypto King' Sam Bankman-Fried gets 25 years for fraud

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 9:20 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Good Friday’s Answers to Wounded Church Members

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 8:20 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Two people dead due to Storm Nelson

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 7 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Assisted dying: what are the laws in UK and what changes are proposed?

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 7 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Sam Bankman-Fried live updates: 'Crypto King' sentenced to 25 years prison

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 6 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Storm Nelson brings snow in Devon raising fears of Easter travel chaos

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 6 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Could assisted dying be coming to Scotland?

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 4 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Larry Lloyd | 1948 - 2024

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 4 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Happy Easter in a plastic egg •

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 4 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

A closer look: can right whales and offshore wind safely coexist?

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 4 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Thames Water boss says bills need to rise by 40%

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 3 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

A closer look: can right whales and offshore wind safely coexist?

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 2 p.m.2