Former Newcastle United player Jonas Gutierrez has confirmed his retirement.
At the age of 38-years-old, the Argentinian midfielder has called time on his career.
Gutierrez has been playing in his home country since 2016, with his final club being Club Almagro in Buenas Aires.
He’ll always be best known for his time at St James’ Park.
Gutierrez joined Newcastle in 2008, arriving for an undisclosed fee from RCD Mallorca.
His first season ended in relegation to the Championship, and a spell in the second tier really helped ‘Spiderman’ settle into life in English football.
He became very popular during Alan Pardew’s tenure, with his incredible work rate getting him in the team most weeks.
The end product wasn’t always there, but his outrageous dribbling ability would always get you on the edge of your seat.
A real-life superhero
The end of Gutierrez’s Newcastle career was very emotional. In September 2014, he confirmed that he was being treated for testicular cancer.
On March 4th 2015, he was back. Gutierrez came off the bench against Manchester United, and was given the captain’s armband by close friend Fabricio Coloccini.
Gutierrez would go one further later in the season, scoring on the final day against West Ham to secure Premier League survival.
The commentary was iconic. “Can there be a more popular goalscorer? The man who knows the true meaning of survival makes sure that Newcastle do survive at this level in what is probably his last game for the club.”
It was his last game for the club. Gutierrez’s contract expired that summer, and he was told over the phone that he would not be getting a new deal.
Gutierrez later won a disability discrimination lawsuit against the club.
There has remained a close bond between Gutierrez in the fans. They mean a lot to him and vice versa.
Following his retirement, Gutierrez wrote on Twitter: “Always a Geordie”.
Lots of fans have responded to the news, and are paying tribute to the man who knows the true meaning of survival.
Here’s hoping we see him at St James’ Park in the near future.
Fans wish Jonas Gutierrez the best as ex-Newcastle star retires
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