Close X
Monday, December 2, 2024
ADVT 
Sports

Whitecaps Striker And Former Welsh International Robert Earnshaw Retires

The Canadian Press, 28 Jan, 2016 11:54 AM
    Vancouver Whitecaps striker Robert Earnshaw announced his retirement on Thursday.
     
    The former Welsh international played 18 professional seasons, scoring 220 goals in 520 games for clubs in England, Scotland, Israel, Canada and the United States.
     
    Earnshaw added 16 goals in 59 appearances for Wales and is the only player to record a hat trick in every professional league in England, including the FA Cup and League Cup, and for his country.
     
    The 34-year-old will remain in Vancouver as the head coach Whitecaps' under-14 team, and as the club's strikers coach.
     
    "I'm excited and ready to move on to the next stage of my life," Earnshaw said in a release. "It was important for me to retire as a player on my own terms and the opportunity to join Vancouver's coaching staff solidified my decision."
     
    Earnshaw spent one season with the Whitecaps after signing as a free agent last March and scored a 90th-minute winner in his debut against the Portland Timbers just three days later.
     
    But he was a fringe player for most of the campaign and didn't score again until the finale against the Houston Dynamo.
     
    "I had the pleasure of playing with (Earnshaw) at both the club and country level and last year as his coach," said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson. "He was a model player throughout his career."
     
    He finishes his Major League Soccer career with 13 goals in 41 appearances with Toronto, Chicago and Vancouver.
     
    Born in Zambia, Earnshaw moved to Wales when he was nine and scored against Germany in his senior national team debut in May 2002.
     
    "Football has been a big part of my life since I can remember," he added. "It's been an honour to play for a living and I am fortunate to be able to continue in the sport that I love."

    MORE Sports ARTICLES

    No Introduction Needed: Ben Hutton Turning Heads Early With Vancouver Canucks

    No Introduction Needed: Ben Hutton Turning Heads Early With Vancouver Canucks
     Luca Sbisa had never heard of Ben Hutton before the pair met on the first day of Vancouver Canucks' training camp.

    No Introduction Needed: Ben Hutton Turning Heads Early With Vancouver Canucks

    B.C. Lions Looking To Keep Momentum Going Against Winnipeg Blue Bombers

    B.C. Lions Looking To Keep Momentum Going Against Winnipeg Blue Bombers
    After three roller-coaster months, the Lions put together their most complete performance of 2015 in last weekend's 46-20 demolition of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

    B.C. Lions Looking To Keep Momentum Going Against Winnipeg Blue Bombers

    Blue Jays Fans From Across Canada Descend On Toronto To Take In Playoff Opener

    Blue Jays fans have descended upon Toronto from across the country to take in the team's first post-season game in 22 years.

    Blue Jays Fans From Across Canada Descend On Toronto To Take In Playoff Opener

    'OK Blue Jays' Song Written At Time When The Jays Were Just 'Kind Of OK'

    'OK Blue Jays' Song Written At Time When The Jays Were Just 'Kind Of OK'
    Jack Lenz, who co-wrote the song with Tony Kosinec, remembers Blue Jays executive Paul Beeston being excited about the song back in the early 1980s.

    'OK Blue Jays' Song Written At Time When The Jays Were Just 'Kind Of OK'

    Whitecaps Tie FC Dallas 0-0, Clinch MIS Playoff Spot For Second Straight Season

    Whitecaps Tie FC Dallas 0-0, Clinch MIS Playoff Spot For Second Straight Season
    David Ousted made a couple of big saves in an uninspired 0-0 draw with FC Dallas as the Whitecaps clinched a spot in Major League Soccer's post-season for the second straight year while also losing two more key players to injury.

    Whitecaps Tie FC Dallas 0-0, Clinch MIS Playoff Spot For Second Straight Season

    Despite Poor Run, Whitecaps Still Could Finish Tops In Western Conference

    Despite Poor Run, Whitecaps Still Could Finish Tops In Western Conference
    Even when his team was flying high, Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson cautioned the regular season would come down to the wire.

    Despite Poor Run, Whitecaps Still Could Finish Tops In Western Conference