Former Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday forward Sam Winnall has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 32. Winnall had been a free agent since being released by Burton Albion at the end of the previous season. In a heartfelt post on LinkedIn, he revealed that the physical toll of the game, including aches, pains, injuries, rejection, broken promises, unpredictability, and setbacks, led him to the decision to retire. Despite the challenges, he expressed gratitude for living his dream of being a professional footballer and acknowledged that nothing could replace the feeling of scoring goals.
Winnall is now embarking on a new journey and is working towards becoming a psychotherapist. He began his studies two years ago as he transitions from his playing career to a new chapter off the field.
The forward is particularly remembered for his successful stint at Barnsley, where he made 115 appearances, scored 48 goals, and played a crucial role in the club’s promotion from League One in 2016. Following his time at Oakwell, Winnall joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2017, although he didn’t replicate the same prolific form at Hillsborough, scoring six goals in 43 appearances. A product of the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy, Winnall also had spells with clubs like Scunthorpe United and Derby County.
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