Overview

• Joe Allen will play his final professional football match for Swansea City this weekend, marking the conclusion of his 18-year career.
• Allen, who earned 77 caps for Wales and played in three major international tournaments, cited age, injuries, and the 2026 World Cup as factors in his decision.
• The midfielder was pivotal in Wales’ historic Euro 2016 semi-final run, earning a spot in the tournament’s official team.
• Allen began and ended his career at Swansea, with notable stints at Liverpool, Stoke, and Wrexham, including a £15 million transfer to Liverpool in 2012.
• Wales manager Craig Bellamy praised Allen’s professionalism and influence, having convinced him to briefly return to international football in 2023.