Sparv says goodbye to football

Finnish national football team captain Tim Sparv on Monday announced his retirement from professional football career.

"My time has now come to an end as a professional footballer. ……. .Now is the time to start a new chapter of my life," said the 34 years old skipper at a press conference in the afternoon.

Sparv, who played 84 matches for national team, had been leading as captain since 2017. Earlier, he was included in the national squad in 2011 and selected the Vice-Captain in 2015. He becomes the part of the Finnish football history after leading the team in the final round of European Championship in 2021.

The defender of HJK Helsinki won the 2021 Player Voice award, the third of three Merit Awards that FIFPRO (an organisation Supporting Professional Football Players Worldwide) in November this year for his outstanding social engagement.

He earned his award for using his voice to help other players and people to improve their working conditions, such as the Finnish women’s national team and migrant workers in Qatar.

The legendary footballer started his club football career with FF Norrva junior in Ostrobothnia and later joined the Southampton Academy in England when he was 16.

He started his professional adult football career with Swedish club Halmstad (HBK). He also played for Dutch club FC Groningen, AEL Football Club in Greece and Danish club FC Midtjylland during his career. He played significant role to win various trophy including national league championship and Danish Cup.

He ended his club career with HJK in Finland and contributed to win the 31^st Veikkausliiga title for HJK.

"I hope to be remembered as a dedicated, encouraging and selfless player and as a person," Sparv said at the press conference, adding that adding that his plans for the future are still open.