Craitman wrote:The following 21 League 1 players have announced their retirements from football this summer following the 2019 season:
Biulya äqi Jedu are hit hard with departures this year which, after a poor campaign, could spell a summer of investment. Six players are ending their careers, including five who won it all with BäJ during their most successful period between 2014 and 2016. Sadly, attacking midfielder Zelmar Toscano, 28, is one of the many reportedly
deceased Gerenians following the nation's collapse towards the end of last year; arguably his nation's most gifted player, his contributions over six seasons in Biulya brought the club honours beyond any fan's wildest dreams. Two other key players from the club's heyday are also hanging up their boots: goalkeeper Hjaņ Ula, 35, who was capped by Craitland twice, was part of the successful EMU 2011 squad and played 17 seasons in League 1; and legendary striker Aki Mäenpää, 34, whose 23 World Cup goals - in seven tournaments, representing three nations - make him the competition's sixth-highest scorer alongside a six-year spell with BäJ. In addition, reliable deputies in defence Christian Elvira and Michele Contè, both 34, call time after four and twelve years, respectively, while another goalkeeper in back-up Lydveldt Hjansen, 36, leaves the club with a bit of a crisis between the sticks.
Besides the much-publicised
departure of striker Freddie Gaärsen, 34, Cherry Trees' only other retirement is goalkeeper Peter Marcqist, 35. Signed from ZK in 2013, he has been a willing understudy for the past six seasons, with most appearances coming in cup competitions.
Champions Eĵars Town are renowned for having a youthful squad, and that is epitomised by having no players considering themselves old enough to end their careers this summer.
HóC's two outgoings this year are both defenders. Captain and Craitish right-back Hänä Ula, 33, ends a 17-season association with the club having signed ahead of the league's inaugural campaign, and gained three senior international caps. Shireroth's Matthew Castaraghi, 34, will leave a big gap; the centre-half spent eight years with the team and was the first Shirerithian to play in League 1.
Striker Seol Tae-Ki, 35, is Kealb's sole retiree this year. Brought to the club from the fallout of Riponia's league's collapse ahead of Kealb's first top-flight season, the Taesongean-born forward established himself as one the league's more reliable goalscorers in eleven seasons at Kealb. His last hurrah could be on Wednesday as Nova English Korea try to reach the World Cup play-offs.
Having survived to stay in League 1 by the skin of their teeth with a play-off win over Hjardef, Osĵätoņ Aztecs will need to sell players before making any acquisitions, with no players announcing retirements.
Róndlinga Diamonds' first- and second-choice goalkeepers from the past 14 seasons - Zyx Hjaņ and Oscar Vanisen, both 36 - have chosen to hang-up their gloves, as has club captain Lucäs Pellegrino, 33. The international left-back had a promising career before a series of injuries curtailed any chance of a big move, but four caps and leading his club to a Cities' Cup win this year are certain highlights.
Sverige Tiem are another club to have no outgoing retirees, following a successful season in which they won their first WMFA Champions' League, but have sadly lost Gerenian central midfielder Zorau Pánčaster, 29, in the reported crisis of his homeland. In three seasons at Sverige, his tenacious displays helped the club to a domestic double and a first Champions' League title.
Three international players, four in total, are departing Xäiville Teflons this year. Tellian defender Marco Schiavvi, 35, ends his career as a two-time World Cup winner and took one of each domestic trophy in six years with the Teflons, as compatriot Frederico Diamo, 34, who played in seven World Cups but not the victorious ones, also calls time. The oldest player in the league is also retiring in the shape of 38-year-old stopper Daniel Palazio, who played in three World Cups, while local Xäi lad and left-winger Mat Loresen-F'achh, 34, ends a career that has spanned half his lifetime.
ZK's three retirees are all 34 years of age. Having joined aged 18, defender Jón Neilsen ends 16 seasons with the club, while midfielder Pelle Lydveldtsen leaves after eight, with Novatainian-born Copa Apollonia winner Lijah Cuu ending his time having joined as a free agent in 2016. ZK are the third and final side to be affected by events in Gerenia, as young striker Imre Dameanóvița, 24, who was the club's top scorer in 2018, has been reported missing and presumed deceased.