Former England international Leighton Baines retires from football after 13 year spell at Everton

Everton full-back Leighton Baines has retired from professional football.

The 35-year-old retires following a 20 year career where he represented just two clubs.

Baines made his debut for Wigan in 2002 and enjoyed some memorable moments with the Latics throughout his five year stay with the club.

He helped Wigan win promotion to the Premier League in the  2004/05 season and also appeared in the club's League Cup final defeat to Manchester United in 2006.

Baines signed for Everton in 2007.  The defender would go onto spend 13 years at Goodison Park.

During his time on Merseyside, Baines got into the PFA team of the season in two consecutive seasons, attaining the left back spot in the 2011/12 season and the 2012/13 campaign.

Following the announcement, Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti praised Baines and revealed that the Toffees want him to stay at the club in some capacity.

"He (Leighton Baines) had a fantastic career here and was a fantastic example for all his teammates," Ancelotti told evertonfc.com.

"We would like to keep him in the Club because his knowledge is very important, but in the next days he has to make a decision," the former AC Milan manager revealed.

"The Club is open to have him stay with us. It's his decision. We have time to think about this."



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