Kyle Walker Says He Will Retire on His Own Terms and Hints at Sheffield United Return

Kyle Walker said he is not ready to retire and wants to leave football on his own terms.
The Burnley F.C. defender recently ended his international career with England national football team.
Walker revealed a long-term ambition to return to boyhood club Sheffield United F.C..

Kyle Walker has said he intends to retire on his own terms but is not yet ready to end his playing career.

The 35-year-old recently announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a successful spell with England in which he earned 96 caps.

However, the Burnley right-back said he still feels capable of continuing at club level for the next few years.

“I don’t know if I’ll continue playing for a few more years,” Walker said.

“I feel once that time in my head comes where I’m done, I’d have to be true to myself. Leave the game before the game leaves you.”

Walker, who turns 36 in May, admitted that recovery takes longer but insisted he remains physically and mentally capable of competing.

“I’m feeling good. It takes longer to recover, I can tell you that,” he said.

“I don’t want to tarnish what I’ve done but I also have a level of respect for myself that I’ll do it on my terms.”

The former Manchester City F.C. defender also spoke about the difficulty of eventually stepping away from the game.

“I’ve not done anything else in my whole entire life except football, so it’s a big part of me and to let it go, it’s hard,” he said.

Walker also revealed a desire to one day return to his boyhood club Sheffield United, where he began his career.

“It’s always been a dream to play for Sheffield United again,” he said.

“To start there at six years old and then leaving at 19, I spent so many incredible years there.

“I hope to play for them again. I don’t know when that will be. I don’t know if they will want me.”

Walker also reflected on his time at Manchester City, including being left out of the starting lineup for the 2023 Champions League final by manager Pep Guardiola.

Despite the disappointment, Walker said he understood the decision and was still asked to deliver a pre-match speech to motivate his teammates ahead of the final.

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Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.