Duncan Watmore retires at 32 and takes PEAK4 leadership role | OneFootball

Duncan Watmore has retired from professional football at 32 and is joining PEAK4 as Head of Elite Performance & Business Development.

According to Sunderland Echo, the forward was a free agent after leaving Rotherham United and, despite interest from a number of clubs, chose to begin a new career. He holds a first-class and a master’s degree in business.

Watmore joined Sunderland from Altrincham and made a big impression. He played a major part in their successful fight against relegation under Sam Allardyce.

His progress was halted by two ACL injuries, and he left at the end of the 2019/20 campaign. He then re-established himself at Middlesbrough and Millwall.

Watmore said he had reflected deeply before deciding to retire and start the next chapter, adding that football had given him more than he imagined. He thanked clubs, staff, team-mates, supporters and especially his family, saying the setbacks taught him resilience and perspective.

He said he is excited to join PEAK4, believing in its mission to apply elite sport principles to business, leadership and workforce wellbeing, and wants to help build something meaningful.

Watmore ends his career with over 50 goals in over 300 appearances.

Source: Sunderland Echo