Samuel Umtiti has decided to call time on his playing career at the age of 31. The French centre-back, without a club since leaving Lille at the end of last season, has taken the decision after struggling with serious knee problems in recent years and failing to find a new team.

A product of Olympique Lyonnais, where he signed his first professional contract in 2012, Umtiti made the move to FC Barcelona on 14 July 2016 to strengthen the defence under then-coach Luis Enrique. It was at this club that the Frenchman of Cameroonian origin enjoyed the standout spell of his career.

_R5I5016

Wearing the No. 23 shirt, Umtiti spent six seasons as a Barça player, becoming the fifth Frenchman with the most appearances for the club (134). In that time, he scored twice in La Liga (2016/17 and 2017/18).

He lifted seven trophies:
Two Ligas (2017/18 and 2018/19)
Three Copas del Rey (2016/17, 2017/18 and 2020/21)
Two Spanish Super Cups (2016/17 and 2018/19).

He also hit the heights with the French national team during that period, winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

After his Barça years, the centre-back went on to play for Lecce in Italy and Lille in France’s Ligue 1 before becoming a free agent last summer. Now, at just 31, he has chosen to retire from professional football, bringing to an end a career marked by both triumphs and injuries.

Força Barça