Former India defender Anas Edathodika has announced his retirement from professional football, drawing curtains on his 17-year senior professional career. (More Football News)
The 37-year-old has represented India on 21 occasions, besides fea🅷turing in 172 competitive club encounters.
Tꦬaking to his social media handles on Saturday, Edathodika shared an emotional video🔯 of his accolades, besides penning a passionate note.
"It’s time to hang up my boots and say farewell to professional football. From the fields of Malappuram to stadiums across India, this journey has been a ♏dream come true," he noted.
"I started out with nothing but a love for the game and a heart full of hope, and today, I’m blessed to close this chapter right here in my hometown of Malapp🎐uram. It’s been a journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and invaluable lessons that have shaped who I am.
"To everyone who stood by me through the highs and lows – my family, coaches, teammates, and the fans who lifted me up when I needed it most – thank y🥃ou. Football has given me more than I could ever give back, a༒nd I’m forever grateful for every moment."
Considering Edathodik💧a's senior career, he began his stint with Mumbai FC in 2007 before moving to Pune FC in 2011.
In 2015, Edathodika made his Indian Super League (ISL) debut with Delhi D🦋ynamos, during which he scored a goal, the only one🎐 in his career.
Since then, Eda🙈thodika has played for other top clubs like Mohun 🌳Bagan (2017, on loan), Jamshedpur (2017-18 & 2021-22), Kerala Blasters (2018-19) and ATK (2019-20).
In the latter phase of his career, Edathodika played for Gokulam Kerala FC (2023-24), followed by Mala𝔉ppuram FC this ye൲ar, his final club.
Edathodika made his India debu🅷t in 2017 during a 3-2 friendly triumph over Cambodia and played his final game for the side in 2019.
As for Edathodika's accolades, he helped the Blue Tigers win the T💛ri-Nation Series in 2017 against Saint Kitts and Nevis and Mauritius, besides winning the Intercontinental Cup the following year.
