Super Eagles goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, has confirmed his retirement from professional football as a player.
The 32-year-old announced the news to his teammates before a training session at Compton on Friday morning.
The erstwhile Super Eagles goalkeeper also announced the touching news on his Twitter handle early Friday afternoon.
“Thank you for the support over the years . My last day as a footballer. But one I am happy and great full for !!! Thanks to everyone to do with @wolves and everyone in football I have met,” Ikeme tweeted on Friday.
The Wolves Academy product came to the decision after consultation with medical experts following his 12-month battle with acute leukaemia.
Last month Ikeme announced on Twitter that he was in complete remission from the disease after ‘a tough year and intense chemotherapy’.
The shot-stopper now intends to take some time off with his young family before embarking on life outside playing football.
Ikeme made 274 domestic career appearances in all competitions, with over 200 of them coming for Wolves, the club he joined in 2000 as a 14-year-old.
The stopper went on to win two promotions, and ten international caps for Nigeria, who honoured him at this summer’s World Cup by naming him as their 24th squad member.
Wolves’ executive chairman, Jeff Shi stated that they were sad to receive the news of the goalkeeper’s decision to quit football.
“Having been at the club since the age of 14, Carl is far more than just a player in our eyes – he is our brother and an important part of our family,” Shi told the club’s official website.
“When Carl came to tell us his news, yes there was sadness, but also great happiness to see him so healthy and hungry for the opportunities that lay ahead of him.
“Carl is strong, a fighter, something he has proven in his playing career and also during what has been a very challenging time for him, so I have no doubt he will be a success in whatever he does next.
“We wish Carl all the very best for the future, but remind him he will always remain a part of the Wolves family.”