Ex-Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland and Wrexham star Steven Fletcher shows off impressive body transformation | OneFootball

Steven Fletcher has shown off his physique after retiring back in September...

Footballers often descend on interesting post-career trajectories and journeys after hanging their boots up and calling it a day, with mixed fortunes ahead once the career comes to a close.

Some players may choose to remain locked in the game by moving into coaching, management, punditry, media work or a variety of backroom roles, with many seemingly never ready to completely call it quits.

For other players, interesting careers outside of the game may await. That in itself, of course, can be liberating for some, and a fresh profession elsewhere could even bring more joy than fulfilling the dream of the masses by playing football at the highest level.

It's always intriguing to see how players maintain their physique, too.

Physical conditioning has never been more important in the sport than it is today, a factor which rings true from the top of the game to further down the pyramid, with the modern-day footballer invariably required to stick to a strict, scientific and micromanaged fitness and nutrition plan almost without exception or days off.

Arduous gym sessions, exasperating runs and only the odd cheat day are in order today - but, when retirement calls, free rein begins and former stars enjoy differing relationships with fitness after bringing their careers to an end.

Ex-players perhaps should not be faulted too much for enjoying the fruits of their labours and letting themselves go after retirement, while it's always admirable to see those who strive to retain their physique and fitness levels despite no longer kicking a ball for a living.

And Steven Fletcher, who only chose to retire last September, has stayed in top form and recently took time to flex his impressive body transformation.

Ex-Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland and Wrexham star Steven Fletcher shows off impressive body transformation

Fletcher brought his 21-year playing career to an end when he announced his retirement in September, having most recently been with Wrexham prior to his release at the end of the 2024/25 campaign following a third successive promotion to the Championship for the upwardly-mobile Welsh outfit.

The striker, who scored 189 goals from 749 appearances across a storied playing career which included notable stints with Wolves, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday, recorded eight strikes apiece in each of his two seasons in North Wales before deciding to retire at the age of 38.

In the initial months after retiring, the ex-Scotland international did put on the pounds and made the most of having a period to switch off. However, he's already transformed his physique once more - as shown in an impressive Instagram post published on Monday.

In the post, Fletcher wrote: "Life after football isn’t something we see much of, We see the good parts but rarely the rest!!

"In football, everything is structured training, gym sessions, routine. That’s something I completely lost towards the end of last year. I took time to switch off, and the reality of starting again getting back into shape and staying consistent has been harder than coming back from injury the first picture is me on Christmas Eve!!

"Training yourself, Motivating yourself, No teammates beside you, No staff holding you accountable, Just you!!

"Six weeks apart… and we’re back on it, Time to get into the best shape again got my first game of 7s tonight wish me luck ⚽️🤣💪🏼💪🏼"

The transformation in such a short space of time is mightily-impressive, and shows the results that can be achieved when discipline and accountability are adopted.

Fletcher is sure to be sharper than most when he takes to the pitch for his seven-a-side matches, too, and you wouldn't count against the former Wednesday frontman retaining the goalscoring touch which made him such a feared proposition throughout the divisions.

Former teammates laud Steven Fletcher's body transformation

The 38-year-old's physical glow-up hasn't gone without praise, with a flurry of former teammates taking to the comments to share their thoughts.

Ex-Leeds United and Wolves left-back Barry Douglas, who played alongside Fletcher at international level, wrote:

"Wolverine is that you 😍💪🏽".

Despite having never played with the striker, meanwhile, former Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart also left some praise, simply commenting: "Go on Fletch 🤝".