Jack Colback has announced his retirement from professional football aged 36.
The former Premier League midfielder’s decision comes just a month after joining non-league side Anstey Nomads.
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Colback has announced his retirement from football aged 36Credit: Getty – Contributor
Colback joined the eighth-tier outfit having been without a club after leaving Queens Park Rangers in the summer.
He made just one appearance for the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands club.
That outing came in a 1-1 draw against Belper Town back on February 14.
Colback statement
In a statement confirming his retirement, Colback said: “Today, I’m announcing my retirement from professional football.
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“I feel privileged to have the honour of playing nearly 500 matches at the top level, representing some of the biggest clubs in the country in Newcastle, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and Queen’s Park Rangers.
“From pulling on the shirt for the first time as a young lad to stepping out in front of packed stadiums in the Premier League, it’s been a journey I’ll always be grateful for.
“There have been highs, lows, promotions, tough defeats, and moments I’ll never forget.
“I would like to thank all of my coaches, teammates and supporters who helped me to achieve my dream.
“Looking forward to what the next chapter holds.”
Colback began his career with Sunderland, where he had a pair of loan spells with Ipswich Town.
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Colback featured in the Premier League for three clubs including hometown side NewcastleCredit: Getty – Contributor
However, he later completed a free transfer to bitter rivals and hometown club Newcastle United in 2014.
After six years at St. James’ Park, which included winning promotion back to the Premier League, Colback joined Nottingham Forest.
He had previously spent a season-and-a-half on loan at the City Ground prior to his permanent arrival in 2020.
Colback would go on to be part of the side which won the Championship play-off final in 2022.
The former England under-20 international later joined QPR, where he spent two seasons before being released at the end of last season.
Across his time at Sunderland, Newcastle and Forest, Colback made 189 Premier League appearances.
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Colback was part of the Forest side which won promotion to the top-flight in 2022Credit: Getty
Those matches saw him score nine goals and add 11 assists from midfield.
In total, meanwhile, he made 480 professional club appearances during his career.
At international level, Colback was capped once by England’s under-20s by Noel Blake in 2009.
Then aged 19, he made an 11-minute cameo off the bench in a friendly against Italy.
Although he would never win a senior cap, Colback was called up by the senior England side on one occasion.
He was selected by Roy Hodgson for matches against Norway and Switzerland in August 2014.
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However, the midfielder was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.
It would prove to be the only Three Lions call-up of Colback’s career.