Chelsea goalkeeper Rob Green announces retirement after Europa League win

Photo/Bob Thomas/Popperfoto via Getty Images Chelsea goalkeeper Rob Green has announced his retirement after winning the Europa League against Arsenal. Green has never played a competitive game for Chelsea since arriving at Stamford Bridge last summer. The 39-year-old came on for a few minutes during the club's charity game in Boston earlier this month, though that was the sum of his playing time in Maurizio Sarri's side. Green is behind both No 1 Kepa Arrizabalaga and the Argentinian veteran Willy Caballero in the pecking order, and youngsters Jamie Cumming and Marcin Bulka were named in Chelsea’s Europa League squad ahead of him. But none of that stopped Green from donning the full luminous Chelsea goalkeeper’s jersey and joining enthusiastically in the team’s celebrations like he’d pulled off a miraculous penalty save in the dying moments after Chelsea beat Arsenal 4-1 in Baku. Announcing his retirement on social media, Green wrote: "Following an incredible evening in Baku on Wednesday and after a 23-year career spanning three decades, I've decided that now is the right time to announce my retirement from professional football. "Being part of the group and celebrations with such a special squad of players after winning the Europa League seems a fitting way to end what's been an amazing journey for me in the game. "I've loved every moment and feel privileged to have enjoyed the career I have. I've played with, and against, some of the best players in the world and have experienced so much that professional football has to offer. "I've had the joy of representing some fantastic clubs, all of whom have helped to shape me in their own varying way. Thank you to all of the fans and everybody connected with Norwich City, West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and Chelsea. "Representing my country will always be one of my proudest achievements and I feel honoured to have played for England. Thank you to all of the managers, coaches and staff I've worked with and thank you to all of the teammates that I've shared a dressing room with over the years. Collectively we've shared some amazing times and I leave the game with memories that I'll always treasure. "A special thank you must go to my Mum and Dad and entire family for your unwavering support. It means so much for them to have followed and watched nearly all my games, sharing my highs and lows "Finally a thank you to my wife and our two children. Thank you for your care and encouragement, it was so special for you to share Wednesday night together with me. "Looking forward I'm excited about what the future has to offer. I hope to remain connected with the game that's given me so much in some capacity, whatever that proves to be, but for now I'm just looking forward to having my first summer off in 23 years! Thanks for the memories. Robert."

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