Billy Sharp Retires at 40 After 22-Year Career and 299 Goals
Billy Sharp, one of English football's most prolific modern strikers, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 40. He confirmed the news live on Sky Sports on Sunday, October 11, while working as a pundit ahead of Southampton's Championship derby with Portsmouth at St Mary's.
Sharp ends a 22-year career with 814 club appearances and 299 goals. He had been without a club since leaving Doncaster Rovers at the end of last season, when he signed off with a memorable scoring display against Peterborough. He said he would have loved to reach the 300th goal, but added that he has had an unbelievable career. He wanted to leave the game on his own terms, having seen many friends have their careers cut short by injuries.
A boyhood Sheffield United supporter, Sharp came through the club's academy and made his Championship debut off the bench against Watford in November 2004. In three spells at Bramall Lane he scored 129 goals and captained the club he supported as a boy. He also played for Doncaster Rovers, where he scored 71 goals in four separate spells, as well as Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Hull City, Scunthorpe United, Reading and Rushden & Diamonds. He had a short stay with LA Galaxy in the MLS in 2023.
Sharp retires as the all-time top scorer of the Championship era with 130 goals in the division, including 15 for Doncaster in the 2009-10 season. He was part of Southampton's promotion-winning side of 2011-12, and he made his announcement at St Mary's, the ground where he played during that campaign.
He became visibly emotional on air as Sky Sports showed a montage of his career, and tributes followed from former team-mates, coaches and supporters.
Sharp already has his next steps lined up. He has agreed to join N5 FC in the Baller League, a six-a-side competition led by former Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. He has also completed his coaching badges and is thought to be keeping one eye on a future career in management.