Newcastle legend Alan Shearer and current star Kieran Trippier have paid tribute to Jermain Defoe. The Former England international striker has announced his retirement from football at the age of 39.
Defoe was last seen playing for Sunderland, having returned to the North East for a second spell in January. However, his second move to the Black Cats hasn’t gone as well as his first. He failed to score after returning to the Stadium of Light.
Tributes have come in from across the world of football, including from Shearer, who wished Defoe all the best for what is to come.
Kieran Trippier is with the squad on their warm weather training camp as he steps up his bid to return to full fitness.
He also took to social media to send a message to Defoe, posting on his Instagram story to congratulate him on a successful career.
Defoe last played for Tottenham in February 2014, on loan from Toronto FC, while Trippier joined Spurs in June 2015.
Defoe ends his career having scored 286 goals in total – 162 of those came in the Premier League. Eight of those goals game against Newcastle, with two coming in Tyne-Wear derbies.
He won 57 England caps, scoring 20 goals, with his most recent appearance coming in 2017, under current manager Gareth Southgate.
Away from the pitch, his friendship with Bradley Lowery – the six-year-old who bravely battled against Neuroblastoma – was touching.
The feeling towards Defoe from within football is made clear from the tributes coming his way. While he may have played for the dark side, two people from Newcastle’s past and present have wished Defoe well in his retirement.
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