Striker Lukas Jutkiewicz has called time on his career as his Birmingham City side prepares to lift the League One title.
With Mansfield Town travelling to St. Andrew’s tomorrow for The Blues’ last home game of the season, the third-tier champions announced that the 36-year-old has decided to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
Career Continues With City
Whilst he will no longer feature on the pitch, the English forward will remain at Birmingham in an off-field role, which has not been specified. Speaking about his retirement, Director of Football Craig Gardner said:
“He gave absolutely everything on the pitch and is a credit to our profession.
“His loyalty and love for the club was evident to everyone throughout what was often turbulent times, and he always embraced his role in the community programme and more recently with the Foundation.
“As a former team-mate of his, I’m delighted he will be remaining with us as he takes the next step in his career. I have no doubt that he will be an overwhelming success and will be as committed and hard working off the pitch, as he was on it.”
19-Year Career Ends
Starting his senior career at Swindon Town, the Southampton-born player bounced around multiple clubs on loan until Coventry City bought him permanently. After two seasons, Middlesbrough was his next destination, before Burnley came calling.
He struggled at The Clarets, leading to a loan move to Birmingham, where he immediately endeared himself to the Blues faithful. They would make the deal permanent just four months later, and he would eventually rack up 356 appearances for the club.
Writer’s View
A beloved figure at St. Andrew’s, Lukas Jutkiewicz has finally decided to end his time as a player, and will end it on a high as Birmingham City claim an impressive League One title win. Whilst all of his appearances came off of the bench, his effort and work rate cannot be understated. A Championship title at Burnley and a few regular appearances in the Premier League are also career highlights, but it is with The Blues where he is best remembered. Everyone at The Real EFL wishes him well as he begins his career off the pitch.
