Ex-Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has retired from professional football.
The former Belgium international left Shandong Taishan in November after four years with the Chinese club and has now decided to hang up his boots after an 18-year playing career.
Fellaini earned 87 caps for his country and started his career with Standard Liege before moving to the Premier League where he played for Everton and Manchester United.
“I am writing this post to announce that after a career of 18 years, I am retiring from professional football,” Fellaini said in a statement posted on Instagram after spending the past three months unemployed.
“What an incredible journey it has been! I am so grateful to have played the sport I love at the highest level.
“I am proud to have represented Standard in Belgium, Everton and Manchester United in the UK, and Shandong Taishan in China. It was an honor (sic) to have played for the Belgian national team at the Olympics of 2008, Euro 2016 and the World Cups of 2014 and 2018.
“I have played in front of the best fans in the world, and I want to take this moment to thank all of them for their unwavering support throughout my career. Your encouragement and passion have been a constant source of inspiration for me.
“As I embark on this new chapter in my life, I look forward to new challenges, but be assured, I will continue to support the beautiful game in any way I can.”
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Fellaini spent five-and-a-half years at United, where he made 177 appearances, prior to his move to China. During that time he helped the Reds win the FA Cup in 2016, before he won both the Carabao Cup and Europa League under Jose Mourinho the following year.
In China, at Shandong, Fellaini won the Chinese FA Cup three years in a row between 2020 and 2022 and now considered a legend at the club.
We would like to wish Fellaini a happy retirement.
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