Ricky van Wolfswinkel confirms retirement with heartfelt message

[p]Across an illustrious career, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/van-wolfswinkel-ricky/dYYmsEsg/"]Van Wolfswinkel[/a] has played for eight different clubs and amassed over 600 appearances, including at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/vitesse/xdFA0eGc/"]Vitesse[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/utrecht/p6QXMgOj/"]FC Utrecht[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sporting-cp/tljXuHBC/"]Sporting CP[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/norwich/Qo6off6p/"]Norwich City[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/st-etienne/YL2QybFe/"]Saint Etienne[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/betis/vJbTeCGP/"]Real Betis[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/basel/S8MBgwuo/"]Basel[/a], and now [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/twente/dhOKTHGA/"]FC Twente[/a]. [/p][p]A prolific goalscorer everywhere he's been, the Dutchman has enjoyed his most fruitful spell in the Eredivisie with 62 goals in 191 appearances for Twente, with nine of those strikes coming this term. [/p][p]Now 37-years-old, Van Wolfswinkel is ready to retire once his contract expires in June, releasing a heartfelt message on the club's YouTube channel. [/p][embed guid="4f787676-f0e0-46af-95c5-a9fe90ac7175" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVQJjKeum18" social-type="youtube" /][p][b]"After 18 years at the highest level, there comes a moment when you feel: it's enough, it's time. What started as a dream, grew into a life. A life filled with discipline, sacrifices and unforgettable highs, but also setbacks that made me stronger. I gave it everything I had," [/b]the former Norwich man said.[/p][p][b]"Every training session, every match, every moment, always with a smile. And I am grateful to my teammates, my coaches, my family, my wife, and our kids and everyone who supported me along the way.[/b][/p][p][b]"This sport has shaped me into the person I am today, not as a player, but as a human being. Now it is time for a new chapter, a new challenge, off the pitch. I'm not saying goodbye to the sport, only to my career as a professional athlete. Thank you for everything."[/b][/p][p]Van Wolfswinkel has confirmed he will continue working in the sport after hanging up his boots, so it will be interesting to see what direction he takes post-retirement.[/p]