Duncan Watmore retires at 32 to join PEAK4 as Head of Elite Performance & Business Development | OneFootball

Duncan Watmore has retired from professional football at 32, taking a senior role with PEAK4 as Head of Elite Performance & Business Development.

According to Sunderland Echo, Watmore was a free agent after leaving Rotherham United and, despite interest from several clubs, has chosen to embark on a new career. He holds a first-class degree and a master’s in business.

The forward made a major impression at Sunderland after arriving from Altrincham, playing a key part in the club’s successful fight against relegation under Sam Allardyce. Two ACL injuries then badly disrupted his progress, and he departed at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

He rebuilt in impressive fashion, becoming a regular at Middlesbrough and Millwall. He finishes with over 50 goals in over 300 appearances.

After a great deal of reflection, he said he was ready to begin the next chapter. He thanked every club he represented, his agent, managers, coaches and staff, team-mates and supporters, and said the injuries taught him resilience, perspective and discipline.

He reserved special thanks for his family and expressed excitement about helping PEAK4 bring the principles of elite sport into business, leadership and workforce wellbeing.

Source: Sunderland Echo