Ipswich Town: Sone Aluko announces retirement from football

Starting his youth career at Birmingham City back in 1997, he failed to make a single appearance for the Blues, although loan spells at Aberdeen and Blackpool kickstarted his rise to the top, earning a permanent move to Pittodrie in 2008.

He subsequently spent time at Rangers, Hull City, Fulham and Reading, reaching the FA Cup final with the Tigers back in 2013/14.

A loan at now defunct Chinese Super League side Beijing Chengfeng preceded his move to Ipswich, where he made 59 appearances across three seasons, helping them secure back-to-back promotion.

He scored three goals in League One in 2021/22, bagging a brace against Cambridge United in a 2-2 draw before finding the back of the net in a 4-0 win at Portsmouth three days later.

However, he saw his game time reduced the following campaign, playing just 14 games in the third tier, and he managed just two minutes off the bench in the Championship this season, coming on in a home draw against QPR.

Aluko captained the Blues against former club Fulham in November 2023 (Image: Ross Halls)

He did, however, score a crucial goal in the Carabao Cup against Bristol Rovers back in August, and he captained Town in a defeat to former club Fulham in the same competition two months later.

He ends his time in Suffolk having played 59 games in all competitions. All in all, his career spanned 17 years and he made 492 professional appearances, scoring 61 goals. 

On top of that, he also earned seven caps for Nigeria before retiring from international duty in 2015, having represented the Super Eagles and England at youth level.

Whether or not Aluko’s time at Ipswich comes to an end remains to be seen. Having been out of the squad for most of the season, he’s been watching games in the press box alongside the club’s analysts, providing feedback to his team-mates at the half-time break.

Speaking ahead of the FA Cup defeat to Maidstone United in January, he explained his role and revealed that he would make a decision on the next step in his career this summer.

The 35-year-old has been working with the club's analysts this season (Image: PA)

“It’s something I’ve thought about, but I’ve not made a decision yet,” he admitted. “When that time comes, I’ll be more set to make a firm decision, but I’m looking at different options still. I’ll keep that for another day.”

Speaking at last night’s End of Season dinner, he said: "I couldn't think of a better place to end my career.

"From top to bottom the club is amazing, and it has been a privilege to be here. I've not played as much as I would have liked, but this has still been the best year of my career.

"All of the lads, I love every one of you, even you, Harry Clarke."