Billy Sharp Retires After Remarkable 22-Year Football Career

Sheffield United icon Billy Sharp has confirmed his retirement from professional football at the age of 40.

During a 22-year career in which he scored 299 goals, Sharp represented Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Hull City, Scunthorpe United, Reading, Doncaster Rovers and Rushden & Diamonds.

He had been without a club since departing Doncaster at the end of last season, having marked his final appearance with a memorable hat-trick against Peterborough.

Sharp told Sky Sports that the time had come to end his playing career after continuing until the age of 40.

He explained that he wanted to retire on his own terms, having seen several friends forced to stop playing because of injuries and other circumstances.

The striker added that he hoped to finish in impressive fashion and was delighted to score three goals in his final match.

Sharp acknowledged that he might not have been the most gifted or popular player on the field, but said his passion for the game helped him make the most of his career.

He also said that football had given him memories he would treasure for the rest of his life.

A lifelong Blades fan, Sharp made his Championship debut as a substitute against Watford in November 2004.

He later became club captain and played a major role in three successful promotion campaigns, helping the team rise from League One in 2017 and from the Championship in 2019 and 2023.

Across three separate spells at Sheffield United, Sharp scored 129 goals and established himself as one of the club’s most celebrated players.

He was also a member of the Southampton squad that earned promotion to the Premier League in 2012.

After a short period with LA Galaxy in 2023, Sharp appeared to be approaching retirement. Instead, he returned to his native Yorkshire and continued playing with Hull before rejoining Doncaster Rovers.

In 2025, Sharp struck a dramatic late winner against Bradford City to secure Doncaster’s promotion to League One. His hat-trick in the final match of the following season meant he had recorded EFL trebles in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He also found the net for a fourth time against Peterborough, which would have taken him to 300 career goals, but the effort was disallowed for offside.

Sharp admitted that reaching 300 goals that day would have been special, but said he remained extremely proud of an outstanding career.

Sharp has now joined Baller League side N5, managed by former Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, to compete in six-a-side football. He is also considering a future in management after completing his coaching qualifications.