Former Everton, Sheffield United and Wigan defender
David Unsworth has announced his retirement from
football at the age of 35.
Unsworth was most recently playing for Huddersfield Town, making
five appearances for the League One club, but has opted to call
time on his 17-year career.
The defender earned his first professional contract at Everton
and went on to make 350 appearances for The Toffees in two spells,
scoring 40 goals.
Unsworth will now look to complete his coaching badges and has
hinted that he would welcome the chance to work at Goodison once
again.
“I’ve had a great time but it’s the right time now for me to
concentrate on something else,” he told Everton’s official
website.
“I am doing my coaching badges and my intention is to move into
that side of the game. I’m thoroughly enjoying the coaching side
and am keen to really get started, which is the main reason for
hanging my boots up.
“I played for some great teams alongside some great players but
my best times were at Everton. I absolutely love the club and the
fans and I would love to return again one day.”
Unsworth first left Everton for West Ham in the summer of 1997
and spent one season in East London, making 32 appearances for The
Hammers.
He famously then joined Aston Villa for £3 million before almost
immediately requesting a return to Everton after his wife
reportedly put pressure on him to leave the Birmingham area,
departing the Midlands without playing a game.
Spells at Portsmouth, Ipswich and Sheffield United followed
before he joined Wigan in January 2007 and promptly scored the
penalty that relegated The Blades from The Premier League, although
Carlos Tevez, of course, also played his part.
Unsworth won the 1995 FA Cup with Everton and made one solitary
appearance for England in a friendly tie against Japan in the same
year.