Football's ultimate journeyman finally retires aged 46 after over 50 transfers

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Jefferson Louis has lived a nomadic life in football, playing for dozens of clubs during his 29-year career, but the veteran striker has now finally decided to retire
Football's ultimate journeyman is finally hanging up his boots after changing clubs 51 times during his career. Jefferson Louis has announced his decision to retire at the age of 46 after most recently starring for non-league side Thame United.
The striker has represented a list of clubs so extensive during his 29-year spell in football that even he has previously admitted to losing count. Louis started out back in 1996 when he made his debut for Risborough Rangers at the age of 17.
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Since then he has shifted around the lower divisions of English football, turning out for the likes of Wrexham, Oxford United and Lincoln City. His former clubs also include Newport County, Bristol Rovers and Mansfield Town.
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Louis' career highlights include lining up against Arsenal for Oxford United in an FA Cup third round tie in 2003 and playing for the Caribbean island of Dominica. However, he has now confirmed the end of his playing career following his fourth stint with Thame United.
Posting on X, Louis said: "A young boy that had a dream, and I lived it, but it's now time to call it a day! To go to the age of 46 is something I'm hugely proud of. Massive thanks to my former managers, team-mates and fans that have supported me throughout. Now to give back to the next generation."
According to a statement from his most recent team, Thame United, Louis played 903 games in total during almost three decades in football, scoring 293 goals.
The club said: "Jeff, who has had four stints at Thame United, has announced that he is retiring from competitive football A staggering 903 competitive games of football, with 293 goals to his name across a number of teams.
"Jefferson spent four years at Thame and finishes his career leaving with three Oxfordshire Senior Cups. A massive congratulations on an amazing career Jeff, from everyone at Thame United and we wish you all the best for the future."
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Louis talked extensively about the drawbacks of his nomadic existence during an interview with The Telegraph back in 2014. He said: "It's like I'm cursed. When I signed for Wrexham, [manager] Dean Saunders said, 'I wish I had you when you was young. You'd be a Premiership player now.'
"For them to say this makes me think, wow. Something went wrong for me, innit? People say he must be a rebel, Jefferson must have been rude. And it's tarnished me. Some managers think I must be a bad apple."
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Louis' career has not been without its controversies. He spent a short spell in prison at the age of 22 for dangerous driving. And while playing for Wrexham, he gave an X-rated touchline interview to Setanta Sports after being substituted during a game against Altrincham. When asked why he was brought off, he said: "I was f***ed."
He said playing for Scottish football manager Steve Evans at Crawley Town was another low point. "It was the worst thing I ever did," Louis said. "His man-management is terrible. We're playing AFC Wimbledon on the Tuesday. After the game he asked my opinion.
"I said we went a bit too negative. He went mental at me. He started effing and blinding, spitting everywhere. But he asked my opinion."
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In more recent years, Louis has found enjoyment in teaching children who have been excluded from school. And despite some tough experiences, he insists he has no regrets about his career.
"I'm just happy with what I achieved," he said. "I played international football. I met my idol Thierry Henry. I've been back page in a newspaper. That's what I try and drill into the kids at school. Don't have no regrets."