Berahino retires at 33 to focus on Burundi coaching role

Saido Berahino has retired from professional football at 33 to concentrate on coaching Burundi's national team, according to BBC Sport. The former Premier League striker had most recently played across Europe and in India before stepping away from the game.

Berahino made his reputation at West Bromwich Albion, his boyhood club, where he scored 36 goals in 121 appearances across all competitions. His most prolific season came in 2014-15, when he netted 20 goals in Premier League and cup matches combined. He moved to Stoke City in January 2017 for £12m but struggled significantly at the Potteries.

His time at Stoke coincided with the club's decline, with the Midlands side suffering Premier League relegation in April 2018. After initially faltering under Tony Pulis at Albion, Berahino managed five goals in 2018-19 under Gary Rowett but subsequently fell out of favour and was released by mutual consent in August 2019 whilst three years remained on his contract.

Following his departure from Stoke, Berahino played for Belgian sides Waregem and Charleroi before joining Sheffield Wednesday in August 2021 under former West Brom manager Darren Moore. He subsequently had spells in Cyprus, India and Slovenia whilst also representing Burundi internationally, earning 23 caps and scoring twice for his country. Berahino was capped by England at youth levels and twice called up to the senior squad by Roy Hodgson but never appeared in competitive internationals. He scored 72 goals across his European club career.