Star Players Bidding Farewell to Their Teams in 2025
Curt Dispatch:
End of the 2024-25 season sees top-tier footballers swapping clubs. Here's a lowdown on the most iconic players exiting their squads this summer.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Bittersweet departure for the Reds as Trent Alexander-Arnold (26) jumps ship to Real Madrid on a free transfer after 20 years. Though harshly booed by some fans, he leaves Anfield as a double Premier League winner and European Cup winner.
Aaron Cresswell (West Ham)
Longtime East End warrior Aaron Cresswell, 34, calls it quits after 11 years with West Ham United. His final game saw a 3-1 win over Ipswich, his former club, with Łukasz Fabiánski, Vladimir Coufal, and Danny Ings also departing the Hammers.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
After a decade of instrumental play, midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne (32) bids farewell to Manchester City with 422 appearances, 108 goals, and 19 trophies under his belt. Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, the club chairman, hailed him as the "greatest player" to grace City's turf.
Oscar de Marcos (Athletic Club)
Versatile defender Oscar de Marcos (36) retires after 16 years with Athletic Club, leaving behind a record of most appearances for any Bilbao player with 573 games under his belt.
Angel Di Maria (Benfica)
Argentine winger Angel Di Maria, 36, makes a heartfelt return to Benfica after stints with Real Madrid and Juventus. Due to his career roots at Rosario Central, he's set to wrap up his vast years in Portugal.
Jaume Domenech (Valencia)
Goalkeeping veteran Jaume Domenech (38) leaves Valencia after a 12-year spell, having spent over 100 matches with the first team and two seasons in the youth squad. He saved Valencia from Barcelona in the 2019 Copa del Rey triumph.
Abdoulaye Doucouré (Everton)
Malian midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré (29) departs Everton after scoring a crucial winner against Bournemouth, keeping the Toffees in the Premier League.
Christian Eriksen (Manchester United)
Talented Dane Christian Eriksen claims his three-year stint at Manchester United as he leaves to… well, that's TBC. But he won the League Cup and FA Cup under Erik ten Hag.
Jonny Evans (Manchester United)
Homegrown defender Jonny Evans (35) completed his circle at Manchester United after spending nearly 200 matches with the Red Devils. He won 12 trophies with them, with the majority claimed during his initial tenure.
Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)
Legendary Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette (31) ends his second spell with the cash-strapped Ligue 1 side after making 391 appearances and rattling in 201 goals. He bid farewell in a 2-0 victory over Angers.
Luka Modrić (Real Madrid)
Croatian sensation Luka Modrić (39) hangs up his boots after 12 seasons at Real Madrid, with six Champions League wins under his belt and a grand total of 28 trophies.
Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Thomas Muller (33) bids adieu to Bayern Munich after a 25-year career with the Bavarian giants. He amassed 751 games, scored 248 goals, and contributed to over 30 trophies.
Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Hamburg-born centre-back Jonathan Tah (29) joins Bayern Munich after 10 years with Bayer Leverkusen. The German international defender made over 400 appearances, playing a crucial role in their 2023-24 Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double victory.
Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy, 36, retires from football after 13 gutsy seasons at the King Power Stadium. He scored a fitting final goal against Ipswich, reaching 200 goals in 500 games for the club.
Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid)
Right-back Lucas Vázquez (33) leaves Real Madrid after a decade with the club, having earned 5 Champions League wins and contributed to 20 trophies. Though not always popular with the fans, he leaves with considerable respect.
Joel Ward (Crystal Palace)
Fleetwood Town alum Joel Ward (35) bowed out of Crystal Palace after 13 years, becoming the last remaining member of their 2013 Championship-winning squad. An unused sub in their FA Cup triumph, he lifted the club's first-ever trophy alongside Marc Guehi at Wembley. Ward announced his retirement after starting in a 4-2 win over Wolves.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure from Manchester City to join the NFL sees him exit as a double Premier League winner and European Cup winner. In the MLB, Aaron Judge opts for a new challenge, moving from the New York Yankees to the Houston Astros. The Pittsburgh Penguins bid farewell to star hockey player Sidney Crosby, who decides to hang up his skates after 19 seasons and three Stanley Cup wins. In basketball, Stephen Curry announces his move from the Golden State Warriors to the Los Angeles Lakers, marking the end of an era for the former champions.
The golf world watches as Rory McIlroy decides to retire from the PGA Tour, citing a desire to focus on the Champions League. In Serie A, Cristiano Ronaldo says goodbye to Juventus after a successful yet short-lived return to the club, opting to join Manchester United once again. In the NFL, Tom Brady's retirement is short-lived as he opts to continue his dominance on the field, choosing to play for the San Francisco 49ers. Lastly, in the NBA, LeBron James, after 20 seasons, bids farewell to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers, with rumors suggesting a move to the Boston Celtics or the Miami Heat.
Despite the significant changes, one thing remains constant—the passion and love for these sports and the stories they create.
