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Former Swansea City Star Michu Retires From Football Aged 31

Former Swansea City Star Michu Retires From Football Aged 31

He scored 22 goals across all competitions in his first season at the Liberty Stadium.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Spanish striker Michu has been forced into an early retirement from football due to injury.

The 31-year old is best known by football fans for his time in the Premier League with Swansea City, where he was a revelation after signing from Rayo Vallecano for a dirt cheap £2.5 million.

Having taken on the number nine shirt at the club, Michu hit the ground running and scored two goals on his debut against Queens Park Rangers.

Image: PA

And he maintained that level of goalscoring form for the rest of the season, bagging a mightily impressive 22 goals in all competitions as Swansea finished in 9th place in the Premier League, and won the League Cup under Michael Laudrup - the club's first major trophy win.

He was simply sensational in his first season, with his form leading to a deserved call-up to the Spain national team.

Image: PA

Like many before him though, Michu struggled to replicate his 18-goal haul in the Premier League the following season, managing just two goals in 2013/14.

The former Celta Vigo man was subsequently loaned to Napoli in Serie A, before being released from his contract in November 2015.

Since then, Michu signed for Austrian side Langreo as well as returning to boyhood club Real Oviedo in the Segunda division for the 2016/17 campaign.

Image: PA

He still has a year on his contract at Oviedo, but reports from Spain say Michu is calling time on his playing career due to ankle injuries, and has outlined his intention to remain in football in a non-playing capacity such as coaching or as a director of football.

Here's how Twitter reacted:

A sad turn of events. We'll always remember that sublime excellent debut season in England and his animated goal celebrations.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Swansea City