Yossi Benayoun, who previously played in the Premier League for Chelsea and Liverpool, has announced his retirement from professional football.
The 38-year-old was at Stamford Bridge between 2010-2013. He never really established himself as a first-team regular for the club and went on to make just 14 Premier League appearances for the West London club, scoring one goal in the process.
During his time with Chelsea, the 102-times capped former Israeli international also had loan spells with the likes of Arsenal and West Ham. During his time with the Blues, Benayoun did manage to win one piece of major silverware which was the Europa League during the 2012-13 campaign.
To many, Benayoun will be best remembered for his time with Liverpool. He was a first-team regular for the Reds during the height of his career and went on to make 92 Premier League appearances for them, scoring 18 goals during the period of 2007-2010.
He however never won any major silverware during his time with the Anfield giants. After leaving Chelsea, Benayoun went on to play for Queens Park Rangers and thereafter returned to his homeland of Israel where he had spells with Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Petah Tikva.
He had a 14-year international career with Israel and went on to play 102 times for his country during that time, scoring 24 goals. There is no doubt that Benayoun will go down as an Israeli football legend and he was a more than apt player in the Premier League during his heyday with Liverpool.
“It’s important for me to thank the fans, the ones who gave me love wherever I went,” Benayoun said as quoted by the Chelsea website.
“I am sure that the next chapter will be challenging and no less exciting.
“There are moments [from my football career] I’ll take with me for life.”
