Scott Carson, one of English football’s mainstays for the past two decades, has announced his retirement aged 40.
He has been congratulated by the great and good of the English game after a diverse career which saw him rack up 526 games for club and country.
The former Manchester City and Liverpool star scooped up two Champions League medals and also represented England four times, travelling to the 2006 World Cup.
Carson wrote on Instagram: ‘After an incredible journey between the posts, it’s time to hang up the gloves.
‘Football has given me everything — memories, friendships, and moments I’ll never forget.
‘Thank you to every teammate, coach, fan, and club that’s been part of my the ride. It’s been an honour.’
Former Manchester City and Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson has retired aged 40
He was a friend to Ederson at Man City and was praised for his personality by Pep Guardiola
Carson began his career at Leeds United before joining Liverpool as a back-up stopper in 2004 ahead of their Champions League-winning campaign.
He went on to represent Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton, Aston Villa, Bursaspor in Turkey, Wigan Athletic, Derby County, and City.
Carson left Manchester City in the summer after a six-year stint as their reserve goalkeeper, with the first two years of that being on loan from Derby.
Fans were rather baffled when Carson, then 33, joined City in 2019 to be their third-choice goalkeeper after just missing out on promotion to the Premier League at Frank Lampard’s Derby County, where he was first choice.
He only went on to play two games for the club but was vaunted as an influential character behind the scenes by manager Pep Guardiola.
Carson gained cult hero status despite making just two appearances; one against Newcastle in 2021, when he played his first Premier League game in a decade after City had clinched the title, saving a penalty from Joe Willock in a 4-3 victory; another against Sporting Lisbon off the bench in the Champions League in 2022, shepherding them to a clean sheet.
While he didn’t play much, he was important in helping Ederson to prepare for matchdays and helping him settle in.
‘When I first came in, his English wasn’t great but we used to communicate with each other even without a conversation,’ Carson told the club’s website recently.
The Cumbrian represented England on four occasions between 2007 and 2011
‘I’d laugh at him and he’d laugh at me! I was there for him if he needed me and I hope I did help him in some way for the years he was here.’
After he featured for them in the Champions League in 2022, Guardiola said: ‘We are delighted. He is very important to us behind the scenes.
‘His chemistry with Ederson and Zack Steffen is fundamental in the locker room. People listen when he speaks. He made the biggest save (of the game).’
His former City team-mates sang his priases in the comments section of his retirement announcement post.
‘Miss you pal all the best,’ Erling Haaland said.
Ilkay Gundogan added: ‘Legend! It’s been a pleasure.’
‘The GOAT,’ wrote Fernandinho.
Meanwhile, former England goalie Ben Foster said: ‘Top career that Scotty.’
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Guardiola described him as ‘very important behind the scenes’ in building the culture at City
Carson was not used to playing third fiddle. Throughout his career, he was typically the first-choice custodian wherever he went.
His solid performances earned him four caps for England. The Cumbrian was handed his debut against Austria in November 2007, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win, and he went on to face Croatia, Germany, and Sweden.
Alongside the Champions League, he also won the UEFA Super Cup with Liverpool and City, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup and FA Community Shield with Guardiola’s side.