Former Super Eagles midfielder, Sone Aluko, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35, coinciding with his club Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League.
Aluko’s final season saw limited starting appearances, but he exits on a high note, being part of Ipswich Town as they secured promotion to the Premier League after 22 years.
Although his time with the Tractor Boys was brief, with just a single league appearance (a two-minute cameo!), Aluko featured six times in cup competitions, including the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
This retirement concluded a career that commenced in 2007 with Birmingham City. Aluko’s football journey took him to various clubs, with a notable highlight in 2013 when he helped Hull City secure promotion to the Premier League.
His success continued in 2014 as Aluko was part of the Hull team that reached the FA Cup final.
Despite not playing a prominent role in his final season, Aluko expressed his affection for Ipswich Town during the club’s end-of-season dinner, saying, “Honestly, I couldn’t imagine a better place to end it all.”
“This club, from the top to the bottom, is just amazing. Being here has been a true privilege.” Aluko acknowledged his limited playing time but insisted that this past year was the best of his career.
The camaraderie and the atmosphere at Ipswich clearly left a lasting impression. He toasted his teammates with a final, light-hearted jab.”
“To all the lads, I’ve grown to love each and every one of you – even you, Harry Clarke.” he said.
Aluko’s career spanned several clubs, including Aberdeen, Rangers, Blackpool, Birmingham, Fulham, Reading, and Chinese club Beijing Chengfeng.
Having represented England at U-16, U-17, U-18, and U-19 levels, Aluko switched allegiance to Nigeria and was capped by Nigeria’s U-20 side – the Flying Eagles.
He was part of Samson Siasia’s U-20 side at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt in 2009, playing alongside the likes of Odion Igahlo, Obiorah Nwankwo, King Osanga, and Nurudeen Orelesi.
Aluko made his full debut for Nigeria in 2009 in an international friendly against the Republic of Ireland, ending in a 1-1 draw.
In total, he earned seven appearances for the Super Eagles, scoring two goals and providing an assist.
Although he didn’t have many caps for the Super Eagles, Nigerian fans will remember him for his brace that secured a 2-2 draw against South Africa in the 2014 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo.
Despite retiring, the 35-year-old intends to remain in football, already engaging in back-room work with Ipswich as an analyst when not in the match-day squad.
It’s likely he will continue in that role at Ipswich or some of the clubs he has previously worked with.
Aluko has also dabbled in punditry work in the past, similar to his sister Eni, so that could be a venture he may pursue further.
