Former West Brom Striker Saido Berahino Retires From Football

Berahino calls time on playing career

Former West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City forward Saido Berahino has officially retired from football at the age of 33.

The striker made more than 133 appearances in the Premier League. Most of those games came during his time with West Brom, where he progressed through the youth ranks before making his senior debut in 2012.

His breakthrough year came in the 2014 to 2015 season. He scored 20 goals in all competitions to help West Brom finish 13th in the Premier League. His performances earned him a call up to the senior England squad in 2014.

Spells across Europe and international football

In 2017, Stoke City signed Berahino for a fee of 12 million pounds. However, he struggled to recreate his early form, scoring five goals in 56 appearances during his spell at the club.

His playing career later took him to several teams across different countries. He had spells at Zulte Waregem, Sheffield Wednesday, AEL Limassol, and Rajasthan United. Slovenian side Tabor Sezana proved to be the final club of his playing career. On the international stage, he made 18 appearances for Burundi.

Transition into coaching with Burundi

Berahino announced his decision in an Instagram post on Sunday. He reflected on his path from the streets of Bujumbura to the Premier League, writing that football carried a young refugee kid through life. He thanked West Brom for believing in him when he was a boy, and expressed gratitude to his family, coaches, teammates, and supporters.

He also confirmed his next move in the sport. He stated that his body and heart are ready for the next chapter, adding that he is grateful to serve the Burundi national team as a coach to help the next generation.