Kasper Schmeichel played a crucial part in Leicester City's rise from the Championship to Premier League and FA Cup champions before he was sold in the summer of 2022
10:20, 27 May 2026
Kasper Schmeichel
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Kasper Schmeichel was a fan favourite at Leicester City(Image: Getty Images)
Kasper Schmeichel has called winning the Premier League title with Leicester City in 2016 one of the biggest achievements of his career after announcing his retirement from football.
The 39-year-old confirmed he has been forced to end his career in an interview with Danish outlet TV2. Schmeichel had been suffering with a serious shoulder injury for over a year and in March, revealed he had potentially played his last game.
"When my contract with Celtic expires in June, I will stop my active football career," he said. "It is a decision that has been made for me.
"I have consulted various surgeons and experts in relation to my shoulder, and they have told me that I should not expect to return to playing top football. I have given myself a lot of thought, but I believe that now is the right time."
Schmeichel represented his country 120 times after making his debut at the age of 26. After establishing himself as number one, he went on to be captain and represent Denmark in four major tournaments.
Kasper Schmeichel
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Kasper Schmeichel has been Denmark's number one goalkeeper for many years(Image: Getty Images)
Looking back on his career, Schmeichel labelled the success at the King Power Stadium as one of his greatest moments and thanked the people who played their roles across his career.
"It's hard to find specific moments in the more than 900 games I've played," he explained when asked about his playing days. "Of course, it was huge to become champion with Leicester, but one of the biggest things was always getting the chance to play here (Parken Stadium, home of Denmark national team).
"Getting the chance to play for Denmark in the finals, to captain Denmark in the finals. That's what I dreamed about as a child. Those are probably the things that stand out the most to me."
He added: "I think everyone dreams of saying goodbye on the field, but you don't always get what you want. I've had so much else along the way, so football doesn't owe me anything.
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"I've had so many opportunities and things in my career. So many experiences. What stands out most is the friendships and connections I've made. The moments I've shared with them - for better or worse. I could have easily planned on just one game, but unfortunately it wasn't to be."
Schmeichel ended his interview with TV2 by insisting he is open to anything post-career, though isn't sure what's to come. "I am incredibly lucky to have so many good people around me," he said.
"My life has of course been about football, but I also have a life on the side, and now I have to spend some time figuring out what the next path is.
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"It is exciting. I hope that now that people know that I will not be playing football anymore, they are open to everything. It is an incredibly exciting place to be. I myself do not have any clear plan or idea of what my life after football will look like."
The goalkeeper will be at the King Power Stadium this Saturday as City celebrate 10 years since their Premier League title win.
What is your favourite memory of Kasper Schmeichel's time at City? Tell us HERE...