Jermain Defoe has announced his retirement from professional football aged 39.

The former England, Tottenham and West Ham striker confirmed the decision to bring the curtain down on a goal-laden career spanning more than two decades via social media on Thursday.

On Twitter, Defoe said: “After 22 years in the game, I have decided to retire from professional football.

“It’s been a really tough decision, and one I have discussed with my family and those closest to me.”

Defoe had been playing back at Sunderland on a short-term contract since January, making his final appearance off the bench in Saturday’s goalless League One draw at Lincoln.

He began his career at West Ham, joining rivals Tottenham in a £7million deal in 2004 and later winning the League Cup before moving to Portsmouth and later returning to Spurs.

Defoe also had a spell in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Toronto FC, during which time he returned to Tottenham for a third time on loan.

He joined Sunderland in 2015 and also spent time at Bournemouth and Rangers, lifting the Scottish Premiership title under Steven Gerrard in 2020/21.

Defoe retires as the ninth-highest goalscorer in Premier League history, having notched 162 times in 496 appearances in the top-flight. He scored more than 300 senior goals in total across his career.

He also scored 20 goals in 57 games for England, playing at the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship.

Defoe was awarded an OBE for his charity work in 2018, dedicating the honour to Bradley Lowery, the Sunderland mascot who tragically died aged just six in 2017 following a battle with neuroblastoma and with whom Defoe had forged a close friendship.

“I made my professional debut at 17 years old in 1999, and I feel now is the right time to bow out,” Defoe said. “I have had an incredible journey, and have met some amazing people in the game.

“Football will always remain in my blood, and it gives me great pride and satisfaction to look back on the blessed career that I’ve had. I now look forward to spending some quality time with my friends and family before moving forward on this next chapter in my career.”

Defoe is sixth on the list of Tottenham’s all-time top scorers, having netted 143 goals in 362 total outings across those three spells.

Spurs were quick to pay tribute to their former striker following confirmation of his retirement, posting: “Legend. Congratulations on an incredible career.”

Defoe’s West Ham record was 41 goals in 105 games and the club also tweeted: “Congratulations on a fantastic career.”