Theo Walcott is set to retire from professional football at the age of 34 after a star-studded career.
According to talkSPORTthe former Arsenal, Everton and Southampton winger is set to hang up his boots after a 23-year career that saw him score 87 goals in 420 Premier League appearances.
It comes after he was released by Southampton earlier this summer, with the former England international coming down to train with Reading this summer.
Mail Sport understands the Royals were ‘close to signing’ Walcott and could have reunited with former England colleague Andy Carroll.
But instead of choosing to play for Reading, Walcott reportedly chose to retire after a fantastic career.
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Walcott began his footballing journey with Swindon Town Youth, before joining Southampton in 2000.
He rose through the Saints academy ranks to become the youngest player at the time at 16 to start for the South Coast, making his debut in a 0-0 draw with Wolves in the Championship in 2005.
He then scored his first goal for the club two months later, netting in a 2–1 loss to Leeds at Elland Road.
He would return four more goals that season, shaping up to be a promising young star in the Saints team.
His excellent form would see him sign for Arsenal the following season, where he was deployed by Arsene Wenger in their season opener against Aston Villa, a 1-1 draw which was also his Premier League debut.
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Walcott would go on to make 397 appearances, scoring 108 goals in all competitions for the Gunners.
He would win three FA Cups with the north London club as well as two FA Community Shields before leaving for Everton in a £20m deal.
He would go on to feature 85 times for Everton, scoring 11 goals in all competitions for the Toffees before being loaned out to Southampton and then returning to his former club permanently on a free transfer in 2021.
Despite a calf injury which sidelined him for several games last season, Walcott scored twice for Southampton in 20 appearances last season before they were relegated from the Premier League.