Former West Brom goal hero confirms retirement in heartfelt open letter

Former Albion academy graduate and Premier League goalscoring star Saido Berahino has confirmed he has hung up his boots aged 33.

Berahino released a heartfelt letter addressed to ‘football’ on social media, in which his first club Albion are heavily referenced and he gives thanks to the club, former colleagues, staff and supporters.

Berahino has not played competitively since 2025, where he featured seven times, scoring on three occasions, for Slovenian second tier outfit Tabor Sezana.

The ex-striker has been coaching Burundi, his nation, since the summer. His final playing spell in England ended at Sheffield Wednesday in 2022 before stints in Cyprus and, briefly, India.

Berahino, who scored 36 goals in 121 senior games for the Baggies, wrote online: “A Letter to the Game. Football has given me everything.

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“From the streets of Bujumbura to the Hawthorns, from the Premier League to places I never imagined I’d play — this game carried a young refugee kid through life.

“I want to thank West Bromwich Albion for believing in me when I was a boy. Those years at the club, the goals, the fans, the moments… they will always be special.

“To every teammate, coach, and supporter who shared the journey — thank you.

“There were highs and lows, mistakes and lessons. I learned that the game can lift you up and test you at the same time. Through it all, football remained my constant.

“The time has come to hang up the boots. My body and my heart are ready for the next chapter.”

Berahino moved to Birmingham aged 10 after his family were granted asylum after fleeing leaving Burundi. He moved to Albion at under-12s level and penned a first professional deal in 2011.

A senior bow came in the EFL Cup in August 2012 but a real breakthrough came under Steve Clarke in 2013/14, where he featured regularly.

The goals began to flow the following campaign, with a best return of 20 goals in 45 games, including 14 in the Premier League.

Berahino became a high-profile transfer target for clubs including Tottenham, who had four bids rejected for the red-hot prospect in 2015, including after a transfer request. It was claimed the frontman was “unsettled” and was not selected to feature.

The frontman then tweeted he would never play under former chairman Jeremy Peace again after ‘the way the club had treated me’. All parties reconciled thereafter but Berahino was unable to find the net at the same rate.

The striker was a regular in England youth action and prolific at under-21 level but went on to play senior football for Burundi. He left Albion for Stoke in January 2017 for an initial £12million but endured a tough spell of just five goals in 56 games with the Potters before moving to Belgium.

“I am proud and grateful to now serve the Burundi national team as a coach,” he continued. “Giving back to the country that made me, and helping the next generation, feels right.

“To my family — you have been my strength. To the fans who stayed with me through every chapter — I will never forget your support.

“This is not goodbye to football. It is simply the end of one story and the beginning of another.

“With love and gratitude, Saido Berahino.”