Marouane Fellaini to retire from football after Shandong Taishan’s final game of the season
Former Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini is set to retire from football after the conclusion of the Chinese Super League season on Saturday.
The 35-year-old left Old Trafford in 2019 to join Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan, making 139 appearances for the club. He is now set to hang up his boots with the CSL season set to come to an end on Saturday.
Shandong Taishan head coach Choi Kang-hee head coach revealed the midfielder’s decision at a press conference on Friday ahead of that final game at home to Henan FC.
Fellaini’s Career
Fellaini became Everton’s club record signing when he joined the Toffees as a 20-year-old in a £15million deal from Standard Liege in 2008. After five fine seasons at Goodison Park, he joined United on the final day of the summer transfer window in 2013, becoming the first signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era as he followed David Moyes from Merseyside to Manchester.
While often maligned at United, he helped the club win the FA Cup in 2016, also part of Jose Mourinho’s side that won the EFL Cup and Europa League the following year. He made 177 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals.
Farewell Ceremony
Shandong will hold a farewell ceremony for Fellaini after Saturday’s match. ‘In the past years, Fellaini has ignited our home atmosphere with goals and victories time and time again,’ a club statement read. ‘In this final battle, let us salute him and see him off with applause and cheers. A superstar when he came, a legend when he left.’
Following the conclusion of the league campaign, Shandong will play in the Chinese FA Cup final on 25 November where Fellaini will have the chance to add another winners’ medal to his collection.
Conclusion
Marouane Fellaini is set to retire from football after Shandong Taishan’s final game of the season on Saturday. The former Belgium international had a successful career at both Everton and Manchester United, helping them win multiple trophies, before joining Shandong Taishan in 2019. He will be honored with a farewell ceremony after Saturday’s match and will have one more chance to add to his collection of winners’ medals when Shandong plays in the Chinese FA Cup final on 25 November.
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