Shelvey won six caps for England
Jonjo Shelvey, the former England international midfielder, has announced his retirement from professional football and will assume the managerial role at Arabian Falcons FC, a third-division club in the United Arab Emirates.
The 34-year-old had been playing for the Dubai-based club, established in 2023, since September, alongside former Manchester United midfielder Ravel Morrison.
Jason Puncheon, formerly of Crystal Palace, serves as the club’s co-owner and head of football operations.
Shelvey, whose career included stints at Liverpool and Newcastle, garnered attention earlier this season when he stated to BBC Sport: “I don’t want my children growing up in England any more.”
“We’re very lucky that we lived in a nice part of the UK but where I’m from, originally, you can’t have nice things in my opinion.”
A documentary will chronicle Shelvey’s efforts to guide Arabian Falcons to promotion during the final five matches of the season.
He remarked: “My ambition is to climb to the very top of management and this is the perfect project to prove myself and what I’m capable of.”
Shelvey began his professional career at Charlton Athletic and went on to play in the Premier League for Liverpool, Swansea, Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest.
He also had spells with Blackpool (on loan), Turkish clubs Caykur Rizespor and Eyupspor, and Burnley before his move to the UAE.
Shelvey earned six England caps in 2012 and 2016, all under the management of Roy Hodgson.
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