Former Birmingham City and Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner has officially announced his retirement from professional football. The 34-year-old made the announcement in a lengthy social media post, just over 15 months after leaving his last club, Cambridge United.
A Career Spanning 328 Matches
Gardner's career included 328 appearances across the Championship, Premier League, and domestic cup competitions. He scored 27 Championship goals, with his most memorable strike coming at St Andrew's — but for Aston Villa, in a 1-1 draw with Birmingham City in October 2016. His final competitive goal came seven years later, a free kick for Birmingham City in a 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.
He last played in April 2024, featuring in a 3-0 victory over Coventry City at St Andrew's, the stadium he called home for five years in Royal Blue.
Emotional Farewell Message
In his Instagram post, Gardner reflected on his journey: "Wow, where do I start. I would like to officially announce my retirement as a professional footballer." He recalled his childhood dream of playing in the Premier League and representing his country at various levels.
"To put on the blues shirt and represent the club I had grown up supporting was a true honour," he wrote. He also acknowledged the challenges of injuries, saying: "There were times when I genuinely questioned whether I would ever play again. But those moments taught me some of the biggest lessons of my life."
Gratitude and Next Chapter
Gardner expressed deep gratitude to his family, teammates, clubs, and supporters. He thanked his parents for their endless love and support, and his wife Lacey and children Romeo and Gigi for giving him strength.
He also revealed his next step: joining M+C Saatchi Football, a player agency with 'five decades of combined experience in sport, law, media, and marketing.' Gardner said he is excited to mentor and help players reach their potential, continuing his passion for giving back to the game.
His message concluded: "What a journey, I gave it my all, don't ever give up. Thank you football. All my love Gaz."
