Charlie Adam announces his retirement on Instagram after a 20-year career including 36 Scotland caps

Charlie Adam has announced his retirement from football, with the former Scottish midfielder instead turning his attention to his coaching career, ending a 20-year career.

The 36-year-old has played 26 times for his country, playing for Rangers, Liverpool, Stoke City and Dundee, as well as four other teams, and looks set to make the switch to coaching, something he is “incredibly passionate” about. .

Adam had spent more than two months without a club after leaving Dundee for the second time in July, having helped them regain promotion to the Scottish Premiership in 2021.

Adam played 37 times for Liverpool, scored twice and assisted 10 more times

In a heartfelt announcement on Instagram, the former midfielder thanked his family and friends for their support over the years, writing on Wednesday: “I think now is the right time to announce my retirement as a player.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to play for some of the biggest clubs in the world, from Champions League nights at Ibrox for Rangers, promotion to the Premier League as captain of Blackpool, donning the famous Liverpool shirt and scoring for The Kop, eight incredible seasons at Stoke City leading my youth club to promotion and playing for Scotland 26 times – It wasn’t a bad ride.

“A huge thank you to Glasgow Rangers, Ross County, St Mirren, Blackpool, Liverpool, Stoke City, Reading and the Dundee supporters – hopefully I’ve given you all memorable moments along the way.

“For now it’s time for me to start coaching, something I’m incredibly passionate about and have enjoyed over the past few months.

“I want to thank my parents, my sister and brothers, my wife Sophie, children Jack, Anabella and Louis and all my family and friends for their support over the past 20 years – I couldn’t have done anything without you. .

‘It was a pleasure.’

Adam helped Dundee regain promotion to the Scottish Premiership in 2021

The post was accompanied by footage of a young Adam signing a three-year contract as an apprentice with Rangers in 2003, aged just 17, followed by highlights from his time with the likes of Rangers, Blackpool and Liverpool.

In all, the 36-year-old played 488 senior-level games, assisted 83 and scored 88 goals, and arguably his most memorable was playing for Stoke.

The Scotland international received the ball well into his own half, saw then Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois off his line and unleashed a flawless shot that sailed over the Belgian’s head to make it 1-1 in April 2015.

Charlie Adam scored deep in his own half to equalize against Chelsea in April 2015

The shot defeated Thibaut Courtois, who could only get a hand to the ball when it went over his head