Petr Cech to Hang up his Gloves at the End of the Season

Football is set to lose yet another legend

Following nearly 15 years in the English top flight that saw him win countless trophies in the process, Petr Cech is ready to retire from the game, online sportsbook news. To date he’s made more than 600 appearances in the Premier League, thus cementing his place among the greatest ever goalkeepers that have played in the competition.

“Having played 15 years in the Premier League and own every single trophy possible, I feel like I have achieved everything I set out to achieve,” said the 36-year-old. “I will continue to work hard for Arsenal to hopefully win one more trophy this season, then I am looking forward to seeing what life holds for me off the pitch.”

Cech came to the Premier League ahead of the 2004/05 season from Rennes, after signing a pre-contract deal with Chelsea in February of that year, despite initially rejecting a bid from the London side. The transfer fee was rumoured to be around £7m, which would prove to have been a huge bargain considering everything that Chelsea have won with him between their posts in his 11-year service with the club.

Cech will go down in history as one of the best goalkeepers in football

In his first season with the Stamford Bridge side, he clinched the Premier League and the Football League Cup, which marked the beginning of a new era for both the club and the Premier League as a whole. The league’s ‘nouveau riche’ continued their success the following season after defending their domestic title, and Cech made his mark by being an indispensable keeper.

Chelsea released an official statement in which they praised their former star for his big commitment and continued consistency while he was at Stamford Bridge.

“Cech moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2004 and remained first-choice keeper between our posts for a decade, maintaining such high levels of performances that he will be remembered not just as our best-ever goalie but also as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.”

Overall, the Czech native has won the following accolades during his career with the Blues: 4 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, a Champions League crown, the Football League Cup on 3 occasions, 2 FA Community Shields and the Europa League.

Until this time point in his career with the Gunners has been relatively modest in terms of silverware relative to his trophy-laden years with their cross-town rivals Chelsea. Nonetheless, Cech has managed to get his hands on 1 FA Cup (2016/17) and 2 FA Community Shields with the Emirates side so far, and a little more could come his way before the current campaign comes to a close.

Both Chelsea are Arsenal (Cech’s current club) are deemed outsiders to win the Premier League title, with the Blues having odds of 150/1 (151.00) and the Gunners having 75/1 (751.00), per online sportsbooks in UK. Liverpool 8/11 (1.72) and Man City 5/4 (2.20) are the favourites to be crowned champions of the English top flight.

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