Former Chelsea and Leicester City defender Robert Huth has confirmed his retirement from professional football. After being released by the Foxes at the end of last season, the 34-year-old Huth became a free agent. He was linked with a move to Derby County this month, where he would have played under former Blues team-mate Frank Lampard, but the latest news puts paid to that happening.
Huth joined Chelsea as a youth player in 2002 from FC Union Berlin. After being integrated into the first team in 2002, the German went on to make 62 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring two goals, across four years.
Huth never really managed to establish himself as a key player for the Blues due to a combination of inconsistency and injuries. During Jose Mourinho’s first stint as manager of the club, he was below the likes of John Terry, William Gallas and Ricardo Carvalho in the pecking order.
He did, however, manage to win two Premier League titles during his time at Stamford Bridge. Huth will be best remembered by many football fans for his role for Leicester City during their Premier League-winning 2015-16 season. Along with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Riyadh Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, he was a key player for Claudio Ranieri’s side that season, making 35 appearances in the top flight, scoring one goal.
Huth holds the distinction of having only turned out for English clubs professionally. It is rare for any player to have not played in their homeland professionally. In addition to having played for Chelsea and Leicester City, he also turned out for Middlesbrough and Stoke City.
Huth took to social media to respond to claims that he was set to join Derby and in the process confirmed his retirement. He stated: “This literally couldn’t be less true,” Huth said. “I’ve retired! (I just haven’t done an interview and cried about it).”
This literally couldn't be less true. Ive retired! (I just haven't done an interview and cried about it) https://t.co/tLfHslQH2q
— robert huth (@robert_huth) January 11, 2019
