Saido Berahino announces retirement from professional football

Former Premier League striker Saido Berahino has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 33. In an emotional statement titled ‘A Letter To The Game’, the former West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City forward reflected on his journey from being a refugee in Bujumbura to playing at the highest level of English football.

Berahino’s career included 133 Premier League appearances and notable spells at West Bromwich Albion, where he scored 20 goals in the 2014/15 season, before moving to Stoke City for £12 million. His subsequent career saw him play for clubs including Sheffield Wednesday, Waregem, Charleroi, and NK Tabor Sezana.

Moving into the next phase of his career, Berahino will focus on coaching the Burundi national team. He expressed his desire to give back to his home country by helping to develop the next generation of Burundian players.