After a nearly 20-year professional career, Stevan Pienaar has decided to hang up the boots.
[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]
It’s been an amazing ride made more special by you, the fans. Thank You. It’s been an honour. 🙏🏽⚽️ pic.twitter.com/qsy4bZCLjT
— Steven Pienaar (@therealstevenpi) February 28, 2018
“Today I am announcing my retirement from football,” Pienaar said. “I just want to say thanks to my mom and my family and all the clubs that I have played for and the supporters off course, how can I forget you”, he said. “Thanks for the love throughout my career. Follow my social media, there’s an announcement coming up soon and you guys will be the first to know.”
After beginning his career with Ajax Cape Town and making the move to the original Ajax in Amsterdam, Pienaar began a nine-year stay at Everton after a year at Borussia Dortmund and sandwiched with a move to Tottenham. The 35-year-old made 210 appearances for the club and also made more than 60 appearances for the Bafana Bafana, South Africa’s National Team, including representing them at the 2002 World Cup and on home soil at the 2010 World Cup.
Pienaar also played last season for Sunderland, though he was unable to keep them from avoiding relegation.
Former clubs of Pienaar reached out with warm wishes on social media on his retirement from playing.
🇿🇦 | Congratulations on a superb career, @therealstevenpi - and thank you for your service in the royal blue.
— Everton (@Everton) February 28, 2018
Best of luck in retirement. We hope to see you at Goodison soon! #EFC https://t.co/bMQhl05JZz
👏 Steven #Pienaar hat soeben das Ende seiner langen und erfolgreichen Karriere bekanntgegeben. Schön, dass du einen Teil davon bei uns in Dortmund verbracht hast, @therealstevenpi! https://t.co/QrOvdP9HUI
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) February 28, 2018
Best of luck in retirement, @therealstevenpi! 😘
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) March 1, 2018
🕺🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/55UTHG3A3T
Having started your professional career with the #UrbanWarriors - it makes us very proud to call you one of our own. You are a true inspiration to Our Youth.
— Cape Town Spurs FC (@CapeTownSpursFC) March 1, 2018
Congratulations on a superb career Schillo 🇿🇦#OurYouthOurFuture 🔴 pic.twitter.com/dFEu812kyw
