Former Sunderland and Middlesbrough forward Duncan Watmore retires to start new business career

Former Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Millwall forward Duncan Watmore has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 32-year-old has decided to call time on his playing career despite receiving offers to continue, instead turning his attention to a new role with PEAK4 as head of elite performance & business development.

Watmore leaves football after a career spanning more than a decade, having made over 300 professional appearances and represented clubs across the Premier League and Football League.

The forward began his senior career with Altrincham before earning a move to Sunderland in 2013, where he went on to make 87 appearances for the Black Cats.

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Right time

He later enjoyed spells with Middlesbrough, Millwall and Rotherham United.

Alongside his football career, Watmore has also invested heavily in his education, completing a first-class degree in Economics and Business Management at Newcastle University before later achieving a Master’s degree in International Business Leadership and Management.

He will now put that experience into practice with PEAK4, a company focused on bringing principles from elite sport into business, leadership and workforce wellbeing.

Announcing his retirement, Watmore said: “After a great deal of reflection, I have decided that now is the right time for me to retire from professional football and begin the next chapter of my career.

“Football has given me more than I could ever have imagined.”

New chapter

He added: “I want to sincerely thank every club I’ve ever played for, my agent, and every manager, coach, physio, doctor, sports scientist, analyst, member of staff, teammate and supporter who has played a part in my journey.

“There have been amazing moments and difficult setbacks, and the injuries I experienced taught me resilience, perspective and discipline.

“Most importantly, I want to thank my family for their constant support throughout every high and low.

“I am now genuinely excited to begin a new chapter with PEAK4 as Head of Elite Performance & Business Development.

“PEAK4’s mission to bring the principles of elite sport into business, leadership and workforce wellbeing is something I strongly believe in, and I look forward to helping build something meaningful.”

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