Former Arsenal star who made English football history finally retires at 45 after 27-year career

FORMER Premier League star Junichi Inamoto has hung up his boots – at the age of 45.

The midfielder became English football’s first Japanese player when joining Arsenal in 2001.

Junichi Inamoto has hung up his boots at the age of 45[/caption]

Inamoto became English football’s first Japanese player when joining Arsenal in 2001[/caption]

Inamoto also played for Fulham, West Brom and Cardiff[/caption]

He made just four cup appearances for the Gunners without scoring during his loan spell from Gamba Osaka.

But Inamoto went on to spend two seasons with Fulham – scoring FOUR goals in their Intertoto Cup final win over Bologna.

He also played for West Brom and Cardiff, and won 82 Japan caps – appearing at three World Cup finals.

His career also took him to Galatasaray, Eintracht Frankfurt and Rennes before returning home in 2010.

Inamoto has played for fifth-tier club Nankatsu SC since 2022, but has now decided to retire.

He said: “Of course the environment at Arsenal is completely different to Nankatsu. But you have one ball, and football as a sport doesn’t change.

“My goals at the 2002 World Cup were the launchpad for my name to be known around the world.

“I was already at Arsenal by then, but those goals had a tremendous impact.

“I have decided to retire at the end of this season. To be honest, I have thought about retiring every year for the last two or three years.

“As far as this year is concerned, I don’t think I can help the team at the moment.

“I will be lonely to leave the field after doing so much. I think I will go on to become a coach.”

Inamoto’s career kicked off back in 1997 with Gamba Osaka.