Former England international Tom Cleverly retires from football

Watford have announced the retirement of club captain and England international Tom Cleverly.

A statement from the club revealed that the 33 year old is hanging up his boots due to injury.

“No one could have worked harder than Tom did to make it back from several injuries, which he’s tried to do while always providing a positive force around the players,” Watford Chairman and CEO Scott Duxbury said, speaking to the club’s website.

“I can’t speak highly enough about Tom as a person, a player and our captain. Tom is the type of professional all clubs would be delighted to have in their team.

“The year’s loan at the club before he joined again in January 2017 really helped him settle quickly into being a senior player with us, and his experience has proved invaluable over these past six years.”

Cleverly first joined the Hornets on loan during the 2009/10 season from Manchester United and again in 2017 from Everton before signing permanently that summer going on to make nearly 150 appearances.