EPL players who announced their retirement at the end of last season

Every summer delivers its share of transfer hype, but the 2025 off-season has also seen a few departing Premier League icons call time on their playing days.

A few respected veterans called time on distinguished careers, with most moving into coaching roles with their previous clubs.

Here's a look at some big names who have called time on their playing careers this year.

Jonny Evans

The veteran centre‑back formally retired on May 30th, 2025, at the age of 37, wrapping up a 19‑year career and over 600 professional appearances.

His final season at Manchester United saw only seven Premier League appearances in 2024/25, but he began the campaign after having just lifted the FA Cup in May 2024.

Notably, he scored his first goal since returning to United in December 2024 - during a thrilling 4-3 EFL Cup quarter-final loss to Tottenham.

Evans' club career included an initial ascent at Old Trafford, followed by two loan spells at Sunderland, and successful stints at West Brom and Leicester, including captaining the latter to FA Cup glory in 2021. 

He made 241 appearances for United, winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups with the club.

He earned 107 international caps from 2006 to 2024, scoring six goals and captaining his country 15 times.

Upon retiring, United installed him as Head of Loans and Pathways, his UEFA A Coaching Licence in progress, and praised him as an ideal role model to guide emerging talent.

Adam Lallana

Adam Lallana called time on his playing career in June 2025, aged 37, and immediately joined Southampton as First Team Coach under new manager Will Still - formalising a player-assistant role he began in April at the tail end of their relegation season. 

Lallana's final season included a symbolic return to boyhood club Southampton (he had logged 283 appearances across two spells), bridging League One promotion to the Premier League before their relegation in 2025.

Between those spells with the Saints, he was signed by Liverpool for £25 million in 2014. He went on to make over 178 Premier League appearances for the club, winning the Champions League in 2019, the Premier League in 2020, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.

Lallana then joined Brighton for a successful spell before returning to St. Mary's.

He also earned 34 caps and scored three goals for England, featuring for his nation in the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Euros. 

In total, Lallana's club career spanned 571 appearances, resulting in 86 goals and 73 assists across all competitions. 

James Tomkins

James Tomkins officially retired in March 2025, at the age of 35, after eight seasons with Crystal Palace and over a decade at West Ham.

A product of the West Ham academy from age eight, he made 243 first-team appearances for the Hammers before joining Palace in 2016 for around £10 million.

During his nine years at Selhurst Park, he featured in 125 matches and scored 10 league goals.

His 2018/19 campaign was a career highlight, contributing to one of Palace's finest Premier League point totals, as well as being part of their historic FA Cup-winning campaign in his final year.

Tomkins also represented England at youth levels and played for Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics.

While never capped at senior level, his steady presence earned him respect as a commanding, well-respected Premier League centre-back.

Wayne Hennessey

Wayne Hennessey announced his retirement in July at the age of 38, ending his career as Wales' third-most capped player (109 caps) and surpassing Neville Southall and his country's most-capped goalkeeper of all time.

At club level, he made over 100 league appearances for both Wolverhampton Wanderers, making his debut with Wolves in 2006, and Crystal Palace, notably starring in their 2016 FA Cup final run.

Though registered at Nottingham Forest during the 2024/25 season, he did not make a single appearance.

Internationally, he was part of the Wales squad that reached the semi-finals of the Euros in 2016, and also appeared in the 2022 World Cup. 

He last played for Wales in November 2023 in a friendly against Gibraltar, and he produced plenty of defining moments, including key saves during Wales' run to the Euro 2016 semi‑finals and earning praise for nine crucial saves in the play‑off victory over Ukraine to end a 64‑year wait for World Cup qualification.

He has since announced his new role as a coach at Nottingham Forest.