Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech announces retirement from football after 20 illustrious years in his career

Chelsea legend Petr Cech has finally drawn the curtains in his career after 20-years in the round leather game.

The present Arsenal captain announced his retirement after spending almost four years at the Emirates and 11 seasons at Stamford Bridge.

Cech has spent 15 years in the Premier League, during which time he played for Chelsea and Arsenal and won multiple trophies.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the former Czech number one said:

“This is my 20th season as a professional player and it has been 20 years since I signed my first professional contract, so it feels like the right time to announce that I will retire at the end of the season.

“Having played 15 years in the Premier League, and won every single trophy possible, I feel like I have achieved everything I set out to achieve.

“I will continue to work hard at Arsenal to hopefully win one more trophy this season, then I am looking forward to seeing what life holds for me off the pitch.”

The 36-year-old’s career was threatened in October 2006 when he required surgery for a skull fracture after a collision with Reading’s Stephen Hunt.

The ex-Cezch shot-stopper was out for three months and has since worn a protective headguard during games.

Cech arrived the Premier League to join Chelsea from Ligue 1 side Rennes in July 2004 and went on to win 13 trophies including one Champions League and four Premier League titles.

He also set the record for the most clean sheets in all competitions beating the 208 set by former England international Peter Bonetti between 1960 and 1979.

On the long run, Cech lost his place to Thibaut Courtois before joining Arsenal and helping the Gunners win the FA Cup in 2017.