Former Sheffield Wednesday forward Leon Clarke has announced his retirement at 39.
The striker began his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers and joined the Owls in early 2007 under Brian Laws. Clarke spent two and a half years at the club, leaving in 2010 after their relegation to League One. During his tenure, he made 87 appearances and scored 18 goals.
One of his last significant moments for Wednesday was scoring against Crystal Palace in a relegation decider, after which he sustained a broken toe while celebrating. Soon after, he transferred to Neil Warnock’s Queens Park Rangers.
Although Clarke later scored memorable goals for Sheffield United, Wednesday’s rivals, in a 4-2 victory at Hillsborough in 2017, he went on to play for seven more clubs.
Clarke has now decided to retire and focus on coaching. In an Instagram post, he stated, “20 years in the game, 23 clubs. This is my official retirement. It’s time to put the gloves away… Thank you to everyone that’s supported me throughout my career. The future for me is still in the game but this time as a coach.”
Clarke’s career spanned all four top divisions in English football, including a few Premier League appearances with Sheffield United.
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