Former AC Milan defender Simon Kjaer has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35. The Danish center-back, who had been without a club since his contract with Milan expired on June 30, 2024, made the announcement in an interview with Danish television station TV2.
“Now is truly the right moment to close this chapter of my life,” Kjaer stated. “In my mind, I always wanted to end my career at Milan. I knew that from there, the thought of searching for something else was so far from my thoughts and the process in my head that I couldn’t have had a better finale. My ending came at San Siro, and that experience… I knew very well that it was my end.”
Kjaer’s illustrious career in Italy saw him wear the shirts of Palermo, Roma, and Atalanta, in addition to his successful stint with AC Milan. During his time with the Rossoneri, he made 121 appearances and was a key part of the squad that won the Scudetto in 2022.
The defender’s last Serie A appearance came on May 25, 2024, in Milan’s final league match of the season against Salernitana. His final game as a professional was an international friendly between Denmark and Norway on June 8, 2024.
Throughout his career, Kjaer represented several top European clubs, including Midtjylland, Wolfsburg, Fenerbahce, Sevilla, and Lille. However, it was his time in Italy, particularly with Milan, that left the most significant mark on his career.
On the international stage, Kjaer was a stalwart for the Danish national team, amassing an impressive 132 caps and scoring 5 goals. His leadership and defensive prowess made him a cornerstone of the Danish squad for over a decade.
