In some sad news, former Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate Jamie Bowden, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of just 23, due to an injury he sustained back in 2022.
Former long term academy player is forced to retire early
On his Instagram account, that can be found @jamiebodwen 17, he said: "Sadly, my football playing career has come to an end. On August 13th 2022 I suffered an ankle injury that would ultimately ruin my interesting playing career I had ahead of me .Firstly, I give thanks for being able to call myself a professional football player and to score a professional goal whilst on loan at Oldham .
I started kicking balls at such a young age and loved every moment of it. It’s just unfortunate that I was never able to fulfil my potential on the pitch. Since then I’ve learnt lots of new things. I’ve learnt that mental health is real and how powerful it can be.
My love for the game is deep, that football is in my DNA and my want to help is profound. God is with us throughout. I want to thank the people that have stuck by me during this hard period, and the people who helped me during my playing days. I look forward to see where the beautiful game takes me next.
The end of the statement suggests he could be looking to go into coaching, or something else within the sport. Although he was able to play in the Premier League until he was 25, so a bit different - we saw similar with Ryan Mason, who went into coaching after he was forced to retire - becoming interim manager of the first team at just 29 years of age.
Plenty of other former academy players, such as Japhet Tanganga, Dennis Cirkin and Marcel Lavinier, have shown their love and support in the comments, as well as current youngsters such as Alfie Devine, Josh Keeley, and Jamie Donley.
Back in 2007, Bowden joined Spurs as a six year old, and remained at the club for sixteen years, before leaving in 2023. As he touched on above, he had a loan at then League Two side Oldham Athletic back in 2021, scoring what would prove to be his only professional goal, as well as providing a further four assists.
His final game for Spurs U21s, or anyone, came back in a game against Chelsea in April of 2023 - where he played alongside the likes of Alfie Dorrington, George Abbott, Keeley, Donley, Devine, Matthew Craig - and even Lucas Moura.
Just goes to show that nothing is guaranteed. Good luck to him in whatever he decides to do next.