Clint Dempsey Decides to Hang up His Boots

By: Toni

Posted: August 30, 2018

Updated: August 30, 2018

Former Fulham forward and US international Clint Dempsey has called time on his career, after more than 14 years of playing professional football.

Dempsey is full of gratitude to his football family

Dempsey, who has spent nearly half of his playing career in England, expressed gratitude to all the supporters that he’s managed to win over with his well-documented intensity. Providers of internet betting in US report the 35-year-old believes now is the right time to retire from football, having given his all to the game. “After a lot of thought, my family and I have decided that this is the right time for me to step away from the game,” said Dempsey. “I’d like to thank all of the team-mates, coaches and support staff that I’ve worked with throughout my career. It has always been my dream to make it as a pro. I’m grateful to have been on this ride.”

"I would like to thank all of the fans who have supported me throughout my career with the New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham, Seattle Sounders and the US Men's National Team. Y'all have always made me feel at home, and it is something that I will always remember."

After putting in some impressive performances for the New England Revolution over his first three seasons in the MLS, Dempsey caught the eye of West London side Fulham who signed him in the 2006/07 winter transfer window.

Clint Dempsey Retires — Clint Dempsey retires at 35 years of age

The demands of the Premier League normally put new players to the test, the American forward proved to be no different to that rule, as he struggled to adapt to the high intensity of the game in the top division of English football.

Tough start, but rewarding end

He stayed at Craven Cottage for six years, but it wasn’t until his final two seasons that he showed signs brilliance and the reason why Fulham signed him in the first place; Dempsey scored 36 goals across all competitions in his final two years at the club before transferring to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur where he would stay for only one year. After the end of the 2012/13 Premier League campaign, Dempsey decided to head back home to the US where he signed a deal with Seattle Sounders. He would go on to make 136 appearances for the CenturyLink Field side and score 59 goals in the process, which helped them secure the 2014 Supporters’ Shield, the 2014 US Open Cup and the 2016 MLS Cup.

He expanded his trophy cabinet with the Sounders in his final playing adventure, but not before playing for his beloved Fulham one last time, as the forward made a short loan spell (playing 7 games) during the 2013/14 season. According to online sportsbooks in the US, Dempsey will be fondly remembered as one of America’s greatest ever players. He retired from the national side last year having played for the Stars and Stripes for 13 years (141 apps) until that point, but more importantly he sits level with Landon Donovan on 57 goals, thus making the pair the most prolific forwards in the history of the US team.