Joe Allen, the 35-year-old midfielder for Swansea City and the Wales national team, has officially announced his retirement from professional football. His final appearance will be during Swansea's Championship season finale against Oxford United on Saturday, May 3, 2025, a match that marks the end of an illustrious career that has spanned nearly two decades.
Allen's decision to hang up his boots comes as he reflects on a remarkable journey that has seen him make almost 600 club appearances and earn 77 caps for his country. Starting and finishing his career at Swansea, Allen has also enjoyed stints at Liverpool and Stoke City, alongside a brief loan spell at Wrexham.
"This is incredibly difficult. This is not something I've taken lightly, I've spent a lot of time pondering it," Allen remarked. "The timing's right. I made the decision, got to 100 percent about a month ago. I wasn't sure how the last few weeks would go, how I'd find things, but it's actually been a good spell really. I've enjoyed it."
As he prepares for his last match at the Swansea.com Stadium, where he made his debut as a 16-year-old against Blackpool in 2007, Allen expressed pride in his accomplishments. "I've had a chance to reflect and take it all in. I'm really looking forward to what's going to be my last game on Saturday," he added. "I'm very proud. I didn't think I'd be sat here playing as many games as I have for clubs I have done at that level and for Wales as well."
Allen's career highlights include being a key figure in the Wales team that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, where he was named in the official team of the tournament. He also played a significant role in helping Wales qualify for the 2022 World Cup, although the team exited at the group stage.
His journey with the national team began in 2009, and he has played in three major tournaments, including Euro 2020 and the aforementioned World Cup. After initially retiring from international football in February 2023, Allen returned to the fold under new Wales manager Craig Bellamy, who praised his quality and influence on the team.
"When you see a player like him in training and the habits he has, you understand why he's had such a great career," Bellamy stated. "I'm so appreciative of what he's been able to do for our country. He's been one of our greatest players. You want that to stay for longer."
Reflecting on his club career, Allen helped Swansea win the League One title and achieve promotion to the Premier League in 2011. Following his successful spell at Swansea, he joined Liverpool for £15 million, where he made 132 appearances and was part of a squad that came close to winning the Premier League in 2014. After his time at Liverpool, he spent six years at Stoke City before returning to Swansea in 2022.
Joel Piroe, a former teammate at Swansea, paid tribute to Allen on social media, calling him a "legend" and expressing appreciation for the time they shared on the pitch. Piroe noted, "It was a pleasure to share the pitch with you." Their time together coincided with Piroe's successful season, where he scored 19 goals, contributing to a mid-table finish for Swansea.
As Allen's final game approaches, he acknowledged the emotional weight of the occasion. "I've been incredibly fortunate and as I've reflected over the last few weeks very grateful and thankful to everyone who has helped me on my way to have these amazing experiences," he said.
Despite the opportunity to continue playing at Swansea, Allen decided it was time to retire. "There was an opportunity to keep going but I came back at them with my decision. I explained my point of view and they've been great in how they accepted that," he explained. Manager Alan Sheehan had expressed a desire to retain Allen's services, especially after some strong performances, but Allen felt he could no longer perform at the level required.
"I just can't do that anymore. That's the main reason why it's time to call it a day," he said. His decision was influenced by the physical demands of the game and the injuries he has accumulated over the years. Allen's instinct told him he would not reach the next World Cup, which further solidified his choice.
"It was a big part of the decision. My instinct told me I wasn't going to get there. Or, if I did get there, it wasn't going to be at the level I wanted to be representing my country at a World Cup," he stated.
Looking to the future, Allen has been working towards obtaining his coaching badges and has shown interest in potentially continuing within football, though he remains uncertain about his next steps. "I'm really not sure. I've spent the last few years trying to get ahead of it and working out what it will be after playing. I'm none the wiser still," he admitted. "Right now I'm looking forward to a break and hoping that when I stop playing I have a chance for a breather."
As he prepares for his last game, Allen is expected to receive a heartfelt send-off from the Swansea fans, who have cherished his contributions to the club over the years. His legacy as one of Wales' finest players and a key figure in Swansea's history is firmly established, and his retirement marks the end of an era for both the club and the national team.
