Jon Walters: Former Ipswich Town striker announces retirement from football

Jon Walters has announced his retirement. Credit: PA

Former Ipswich Town striker Jon Walters has announced his retirement from football.

The 35-year-old, who earned 54 caps for the Republic of Ireland, sustained a serious Achilles injury while playing for Ipswich earlier this season and has now decided to call time on his career.

Walters had two spells at Ipswich in his career, making more than 130 appearances for the club in his first stint, before he joined Stoke City in a £2.75 million deal in 2010.

Paul Hurst brought him back to the club last summer on loan from Premier League club Burnley, but he ruptured his Achilles tendon in September's goalless draw against Bolton Wanderers at Portman Road.

Announcing his retirement on Twitter, Walters said: "My Achilles heel has literally been my Achilles heel and finished me off!"

Tributes have been flooding in since the news was revealed, including from Ipswich Town who posted on Twitter: "A tremendous career which we're proud to have been a part of."