Former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill famously remembered for his stints under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, announced his retirement from professional football on Wednesday. The former England international had last represented Bournemouth last season and was released by the club following a first-division promotion. 

Cahill has been a free agent since the summer and was approached by one unnamed Premier League club according to the footballer. He also had a few opportunities in the Championship, but the 36-year-old announced that it is a good time for him to move on. 

“Obviously, it’s been a tough decision in some aspects but I think I just knew the journey had to come to an end at some stage,” Cahill said to Sky Sports. 

“I just got the feeling that now is the right time. I did have options. I could have played in the Premier League with one side and I had a couple of options in the Championship which is flattering to still get the offers. But at the moment, as well as my career, my kids are settled at school and it would’ve meant moving again.”

Renowned for his technical ability, Cahill has 585 matches for different clubs across his career, including 290 caps for Chelsea. The center-back scored 25 goals for the side and was a crucial member of the side that won the Premier League twice, in 2014-15 and 2016-17. 

Cahill moved to Chelsea after five seasons with Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League. In his first season, he was a pivotal member of the squad that went on to lift the Champions League title under Roberto Di Matteo and even started in the final against Bayern Munich. 

Cahill moved on from Chelsea after eight memorable seasons with the club where he laid hands on possibly every trophy he could, including two Europa League triumphs, one of which came in his final season with the club. 

Gary Cahill made 61 appearances for the Three Lions and appeared at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup. He also scored six times for the country and last played under Gareth Southgate in 2018.