Pembrokeshire’s Joe Allen is set to retire from football after Swansea City’s final game of the Championship season this Saturday.

Thirty-five-year-old Allen who hails from Narberth, is out of contract at Swansea this summer, has opted to call time on a career in which he has made almost 600 club appearances and won 77 international caps for Wales.

Allen started his career playing at Tenby AFC, up to age ten, before a club career that started and finished with boyhood club Swansea City.

Joe Allen mural
One of Narberth's favourite sons Joe Allen depicted here in a wonderful mural on the side of the town’s Farmers Arms pub and created by Lloyd The Graffiti Lloyd the Graffiti during the World Cup 2022 as part of Y Wal Goch project. (Pic. Gareth Davies Photography)

He also spent four years at Liverpool and six years with Stoke City, and had a brief spell on loan at Wrexham as a teenager.

"This is incredibly difficult. This is not something I've taken lightly, I've spent a lot of time pondering it," said Allen.

"The timing's right. I made the decision, got to 100% about a month ago. I wasn't sure how the last few weeks would go, how I'd find things, but it's actually been a good spell really. I've enjoyed it."

"I've had a chance to reflect and take it all in. I'm really looking forward to what's going to be my last game on Saturday," he added.

Sandy Bear Children's Bereavement Charity in Pembrokeshire recently had the privilege of welcoming Welsh football star Joe Allen to its HQ, where he met inspiring youngster fifteen-year-old Connor Williams, whose dad sadly passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last year.
Sandy Bear Children's Bereavement Charity in Pembrokeshire recently had the privilege of welcoming Welsh football star Joe Allen to its HQ, where he met inspiring youngster fifteen-year-old Swansea City supporter Connor Williams. (Facebook)

"I'm very proud. I didn't think I'd be sat here playing as many games as I have for clubs I have done at that level and for Wales as well.

"I've been incredibly fortunate and as I've reflected over the last few weeks very grateful and thankful to everyone who has has helped me on my way to have these amazing experiences."

The Swans host Oxford United in their final match of the Championship season tomorrow (May 3).