03/02/2024 6comments  |  Jump to last

Former Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.

Fellaini, who recently finished a 4-year stint at Chinese side Shandong Taishan, said on Instagram that he is bringing his 18-year playing career to an end.

Fellaini joined Standard Liege at 17 and moved up through the ranks to reach the first team at the age of 19, coming on for his debut as a substitute against Charleroi.

Just six months after his league debut, he was in the Belgian national team, representing them in the 2008 Olympic Games. 

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Everton had reportedly put in a bid for Fellaini in March 2008, but that was firmly rejected.  However, when the Blues upped the ante to a reported €15 million, (£12.9M) there was only going to be one answer from Standard, as that sum was equal to 80% of the club’s annual budget.

It was a move that almost didn't come off, though — Everton representatives traveled to Belgium late on deadline day, securing the signature of towering defensive midfielder Marouane Fellaini literally at the eleventh hour on 1 September 2008, and the transfer was registered with the Football Association with minutes to spare.

"I am writing this post to announce that after a career of 18 years, I am retiring from professional football," Fellaini wrote on Instagram. "What an incredible journey it has been! I am so grateful to have played the sport I love at the highest level."

Fellaini left Everton in 2016 to spend the next 6 years at Manchester United.

 

Reader Comments (6)

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Jack Convery
1 Posted 03/02/2024 at 16:33:56
Has his hair retired too?
Kieran Kinsella
2 Posted 03/02/2024 at 16:41:29
I was in Romania when we signed him, waiting on slow dial internet to provide updates on transfers. I remember there were all kinds of rumors linking us with exciting players then we signed a defensive midfielder I'd never heard of.

After a rocky start with reckless yellows, he proved to be a really good player IMO.

Jim Bennings
3 Posted 03/02/2024 at 17:42:24
Keiran,

I'd definitely heard of Marouane before we'd signed him because I watched him dominate Gerrard in both legs of a Champions League qualifiers between Liverpool and Standard Liege.

I remember thinking he was the type of midfielder that seemed to always be where the action was.

Absolutely loved him at Everton and obviously was a cult figure, a very good scoring record despite two of his seasons ending in February with injuries think it was 2009-10 when the dirty Greek pirate Kyrgiakos hobbled him at Anfield.

Who can forget the Fellaini wigs though? Haha

Robert Tressell
4 Posted 03/02/2024 at 18:01:31
Fellaini would be perfect for our current set-up. What a monster of a player. Almost unique in style but very effective.
Lee Courtliff
5 Posted 04/02/2024 at 16:10:24
Congratulations on a great career. He was a very unusual player in style and appearance but very, very effective.

I was there for his towering, Man of the Match display against Man United on the opening weekend in 2012. Literally head and shoulders above every other player on the pitch that night.

He even filled in well as a makeshift striker in 2009, an excellent signing by Moyes who got the best out of him in his last season here when he played as a No.10. He was never going to suit Martinez so his departure was inevitable but he brought us a good fee when he left.

Hope he enjoys his retirement.

Jerome Shields
6 Posted 07/02/2024 at 05:34:53
Good Luck to Marouane in his retirement. A great player who got stuck in.

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