Ghana and former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has announced a ‘surprise’ retirement from professional football at the age of 27.
Frimpong has not been lucky with fitness in his career which began with Arsenal at age nine. An ACL tear in the knee during his days at the Arsenal Academy remained persistent trouble especially over the past five years.
Taking to his official Twitter handle Thursday night, the Kumasi-born, who last featured for Turkish side Ermis Aradippou in 2017, explained what brought about the decision to step away from the game:
“It is with great sadness I have decided to retire from professional football.
“I have had problems with my knee for the last five years or so and have got back to playing at a professional level.
“But since November 2017 I haven’t been in action as I had a tear in my knee ligament.
“I decided with my own will that I will not opt for the operation since I was not enjoying football playing through pain.
“I would love to thank all the clubs I have represented, Arsenal, Charlton, Barnsley, Fulham, Ufa, AFC Eskilstuna and Ermis for the love and support they have given and to the fans who always supported me. Thank you and let’s see what the future holds.
“Spending time with my daughter and family the last year has made me realise I’m blessed,” Frimpong wrote.
International career
Emmanuel Frimpong featured was capped once by Ghana at the senior level.
The combative defensive midfielder had featured for England at the youth level before he decided to switch allegiance to the country of his birth in 2012. At 21, he was officially handed his debut call-up by Coach Kwasi Appiah for Ghana’s 2014 Fifa World Cup home qualifier with Sudan in Kumasi March 24, 2013. He marked his hugely-anticipated debut with a cameo appearance as Ghana thrashed Sudan at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
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Source: Footy-ghana.com
