Happy days: Aaron Ramsey won three FA Cups at Arsenal, scoring the winning goal in two Wembley finals
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35.
Ramsey - affectionately known as ‘Rambo’ - spent 11 years with the Gunners between 2008-19 after joining from Cardiff in a £5million deal as a 17-year-old prodigy, rejecting the likes of Manchester United and Everton following talks with then-manager Arsene Wenger.
He went on to make 369 total appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 64 goals and registering 60 assists as he won three FA Cups and two Community Shields, as well as reaching Carabao Cup and Europa League finals.
Ramsey scored the winning goal at Wembley in both the 2014 FA Cup final against Hull - in extra time - and the 2017 final against Chelsea.
“This has not been an easy decision to make. After a lot of consideration, I have decided to retire from football,” Ramsey wrote on social media.
“Firstly, I want to start with Wales. It has been my privilege to wear the Welsh shirt and experience so many incredible moments in it.
“It would not have been possible without the incredible input of all the managers I have played under and all the staff who have helped me in many ways.
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“To the Red Wall. You have been there through thick and thin! You have been there through the highs and lows, and you have been an essential and indispensable part of our success.
“I can't thank you enough. We've been through everything together and it's been an honour to represent you. Diolch.
“Secondly, thank you to all the clubs I've been lucky enough to play for. Thank you to all the managers and staff that have helped me be able to live my dream and play at the highest level.
“And a huge thank you to my wife and children and all my family. Without you by my side throughout, none of this would have been possible.”
Arsenal responded to Ramsey’s announcement with their own social media post which read, “Happy retirement, Rambo”, alongside a heart emoji and a video featuring some of his best moments for the club, including both FA Cup final winners.
Ramsey also had loan spells back at Cardiff and Nottingham Forest and eventually left Arsenal in 2019 on a free transfer as he joined Juventus.
Ramsey won the Serie A title, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana in Turin, where he spent three years and was loaned to Rangers, where he lifted the Scottish Cup, before his contract was mutually terminated and he signed for French club Nice in 2022.
He spent only one season in France before returning to Cardiff, where he stayed for two seasons and took over as interim head coach during the final stages of last term but was unable to rescue his boyhood club from relegation to League One.
Ramsey joined Mexican side Pumas UNAM last July as a free agent, but made only six appearances before his contract was mutually terminated in October.
Ramsey was an instrumental figure for Wales throughout his career and earned 86 senior international caps between 2008-24, spending two stints as captain and forming a key part of the side that reached the semi-finals on their first major tournament appearance for 58 years under Chis Coleman at Euro 2016, finishing in UEFA’s team of the tournament.
He also played at the 2022 World Cup and represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Ramsey last played for Wales in September 2024 and, due to a lack of club football, was omitted from the last two squads by head coach Craig Bellamy, including for the recent home World Cup play-off semi-final defeat on penalties by Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He had been back in the squad after a 13-month absence in October, but did not play due to injury.