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A former Premier League star who rose to fame with Arsenal has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.
The midfielder has featured for some of Europe’s biggest clubs and represented his country Cameroon 49 times before calling time on his international career in 2015.
After starring with the Gunners, he spent seven years of his career at the Emirates, making the move to Barcelona where he would win LaLiga in 2012-13 – his only major title in his 19-year career.
He would later return to the Premier League on two successive loan spells, joining the Hammers on both occasions.
But now, after spells at Rubin Kazan and Sion, the defensive midfielder would end his career in Djibouti, having collected two Premier League titles and two Djibouti Cups – despite playing just five times for his club AS Arta/Solar7.
A former Premier League star who rose to fame with Arsenal has retired from football
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The player in question is Alex Song.
His last appearance on the pitch came in last year’s CAF Champions League first round against Al-Merrikh in September, but now the 36-year-old has decided to call time on his career to oversee the development of youth players at the African club. .
“It is with great regret that it is time to hang up my boots,” Song wrote on Instagram.
“My journey that started in Yaoundé as a child, playing without boots, with bare feet and on hard gravel, gave me the strength and courage to succeed.
“When I moved to France, playing for Bastia, I thought I had done a miracle. However, this was only the beginning as my journey continued to Arsenal and Barcelona, two of the biggest clubs in the world.
![Alex Song made 204 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 10 goals and providing 23 assists.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/15/07/77818655-12751287-image-a-19_1700033116737.jpg)
![Alex Song made 204 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 10 goals and providing 23 assists.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/15/07/77818655-12751287-image-a-19_1700033116737.jpg)
Alex Song made 204 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 10 goals and providing 23 assists.
![Song would later join Barcelona for £15 million](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/15/07/77818343-12751287-image-m-18_1700033045976.jpg)
![Song would later join Barcelona for £15 million](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/15/07/77818343-12751287-image-m-18_1700033045976.jpg)
![He would later return to England joining West Ham](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/15/07/77818613-12751287-image-m-16_1700033034336.jpg)
![He would later return to England joining West Ham](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/15/07/77818613-12751287-image-m-16_1700033034336.jpg)
Song would later join Barcelona for £15m before returning to England with West Ham
So many people have helped me along the way, my wife, my children, my family, my friends, my agent, my coaches and of course all my teammates to whom I will be forever grateful.
“Of course Charlton, West Ham, Rubin Kazan, Sion and Arta/Solar 7 will always be in my heart.
“Having the honor of representing my country 60 times also filled me with great pride. I feel blessed with so many wonderful memories that will stay with me forever.
“Finally, I would like to thank all the fans who have supported me along the way, I will appreciate everything. Hope to see you all again soon. Alex. There’s only one song.”
Song signed for Arsenal in 2006 and made 205 appearances for the club before making a £15m switch to Catalonia in the summer of 2012 after six years at Arsenal.