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Sam Vokes Announces Retirement After 20-Year Career

BBC Sport •
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Sam Vokes will retire at the end of the current season, bringing down the curtain on a two-decade professional career. The former Wales striker earned 64 international caps and played across all four English divisions during a journey that began at Bournemouth and took in some of the game's most storied clubs.

Vokes joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2008, scoring eight goals as Wolves secured promotion to the Premier League. He endured a nomadic spell with six loan moves before settling at Burnley in 2012, where he became a key figure in Sean Dyche's side. The forward helped the Clarets reach the top flight in 2014 and 2016, spending seven years at Turf Moor before two campaigns with Stoke City.

The 35-year-old joined Gillingham in summer 2025, scoring three goals in 35 appearances for the League Two side this term. "I remember watching Southampton at The Dell, dreaming of one appearance," Vokes said. "Never did I dream I'd play across all four divisions."