Phil Bardsley announced his retirement from football yesterday.
The former defender confirmed the news via his Instagram account, stating that playing the game professionally gave him ‘so much joy’.
Bardsley began his career in Manchester United’s academy before he was sold to Sunderland for £850,000 in 2008.
The right-back made around 200 appearances for the Black Cats across seven seasons and was named their Player of the Year in 2010-11, as well as playing a huge role in wins over Newcastle United, the ‘Great Escape’ in his final season and a brilliant run to the League Cup final at Wembley.
Bardsley went on to play for Stoke City, Burnley and Stockport County before hanging up his boots the day before his 37th birthday.
“After 22 years of being a professional footballer I have decided to retire from playing the game that had given me so much joy,” he wrote.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to all my coaches/managers that have all played a huge part in this incredible journey.
“A huge thank you to all the clubs. It was an absolute honour to play for your fantastic football clubs and will be forever grateful for the support you have shown me over the years.
“I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life and the challenges that lie ahead.
“Thank you football and thank you everybody who played their part.”
Did Sunderland ever replace Phil Bardsley?
Bardsley left Sunderland on a free transfer in 2014 and the Wearside outfit went on to replace him with Billy Jones and Anthony Reveillere.
While the pair weren’t as bad as many full-backs that have been at the club, neither set the world alight and struggled to make much of an impact.
Sunderland since welcomed the likes of Adam Matthews, Donald Love, Javier Manquillo, Conor McLaughlin and DeAndre Yedlin – the latter arguably had the most joy but he later joined Newcastle United so he doesn’t really count.
It wasn’t until Trai Hume recently began to catch the attention in Sunderland’s backline that fans have begun to appreciate a full-back. While it is hard to compare him to Bardsley in the Premier League, Hume certainly looks set to be a huge player under Tony Mowbray and he could definitely become a key player in the top flight.