Saido Berahino Retires from Football Aged 33

Berahino offered particular gratitude to the club where his career began. He netted 36 times in 121 appearances across all competitions, including a hat-trick against Newport County in the EFL Cup in August 2013, when he made his first start at the age of 20.

In an Instagram statement titled ‘A Letter To The Game’, Berahino said: “I would like to thank West Bromwich Albion for placing their faith in me when I was still a boy.

“My years with the club, along with the goals, supporters and unforgettable experiences, will always mean a great deal to me. I went through successes and setbacks, made mistakes and gained valuable lessons. Football taught me that it can raise you up while challenging you at the same time.

“Now is the right moment for me to retire from playing. Both physically and emotionally, I am prepared to begin a new chapter. I feel honoured and thankful to take on a coaching role with the Burundi national team. Supporting the country that shaped me and guiding its future players feels like the natural next step.

“My family has always been the source of my strength. I will also forever appreciate the supporters who stood beside me throughout every stage of my journey. I am not leaving football behind; one part of my story is ending while another is just beginning.

“Football has provided me with so much. It took me from the streets of Bujumbura to The Hawthorns, from the Premier League to destinations where I never expected to play. The sport helped a young refugee find his way through life.”