Downing, 37, has decided to retire after two seasons with Blackburn in the ChampionshipStewart Downing sits on the sun-lit terrace of his house in Ibiza and contemplates wistfully where he’ll be at 3pm this Saturday. The 37-year-old former England winger would rather be in the rain back home, facing an opponent half his age in the Championship, contesting the ball, challenging for promotion, but sadly and significantly, he won’t be. For the first time in 20 years, Downing will be standing on the outside of the professional game, looking in. “I’m not going to lie, it’ll be difficult,” he admits. “I’m going to have to go out and get a couple of beers!”SponsoredDowning today announces his retirement after 725 appearances, 63 goals and 97 assists for Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Aston Villa, Liverpool, West Ham United and Blackburn Rovers.

Source: The Times August 02, 2021 12:00 UTC