‘When will I have to stop? Probably at the end of this season’: Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie reveals he is likely to retire next year after glittering career

• Robin van Persie has revealed he is likely to retire at the end of the season
• He is currently in his second stint at Feyenoord, the club where it all began
• The Dutchman won the FA Cup with Arsenal and scored 132 goals in eight years
• The striker then moved to Manchester United, where he won the league title 

Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has revealed he is likely to retire at the end of the season.

The Dutchman enjoyed a stellar career in England, winning the FA Cup with Arsenal and a Premier League title at United.

The 35-year-old moved back to his native Holland with Feyenoord this summer after a three-year stint in Turkey with Fenerbahce.

Feyenoord striker Robin van Persie has revealed he is likely to retire at the end of the season

Van Persie announced himself in England with Arsenal and became a prolific goalscorer

He won the FA Cup with the Gunners back in 2005 and went on to score 132 goals for the club

‘When I have to stop? That is probably at the end of this season,’ he told AD.

‘I will be 36 years old and will have been a professional for 18 years. From the age of five, I’ve only been involved in football.’

Van Persie is Arsenal’s third-most prolific Premier League goalscorer, netting 97, and eighth on the club’s list of highest scorers ever.

He courted much controversy among Gunners, however, when he switched to long-time title rivals United in 2012.

He claimed the Premier League Golden Boot that season as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side romped to their 13th Premier League title.

He courted controversy among Gunners when he switched to long-time rivals United in 2012

The striker earned the Golden Boot and claimed an elusive league title in his first season there

ROBIN VAN PERSIE’S CAREER 

2001–2004 Feyenoord 

UEFA Cup

2004–2012 Arsenal

FA Cup, Community Shield

2012–2015 Manchester United

Premier League, Community Shield

2015–2018 Fenerbahce

2018– Feyenoord 

KNVB Cup, Johan Cruyff Shield

INTERNATIONAL

2005- Holland (102 caps) 

Van Persie moved to Turkey in 2015 and has revealed he had ‘lost the fun’ before returning to Holland.

‘I also do not believe that my return to Feyenoord has only been successful if we win the title,’ he added.

‘How is it successful? This is actually it, if you look at the whole picture. I had lost the fun. That’s not how I wanted to end, without pleasure. The fun has returned at Feyenoord.

‘I want to win as a football player and the cup win was nice, but that is not the measurement between whether it is successful or not.

‘I wanted to give something back, share my experiences. I am trying to help my fellow players.

‘I see it as broader than just winning a title or not. That is the goal, that is what the club also say, but whether or not we win a title is not decisive for me on whether my return is successful or not.’

Feyenoord, where it all began for Van Persie, currently sit in third place in the Dutch Eredivisie, seven points behind leaders PSV.  

The Holland legend then moved to Turkish club Fenerbahce from United in 2015

He has returned to his home club and is chasing the title in what appears to be his final season

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