With the recent announcement that Patrick Vieira is to retire, I thought I would have a look at other world class superstars that had a final swansong in the English Premier League before retiring.
Patrick Viera - Manchester City 2010-2011, 28 Appearances with 3 goals.
After an illustrious career with Arsenal between 1996 and 2005, Vieira moved to Italy with Juventus and then Inter Milan before returning to England with Manchester City in 2010. Initially bought on a six month contract, after a succession of fine performances the contract was extended for a further year until the summer of 2011. Vieira saw out his contract and retired in July 2011 to take on a role with Manchester City as a Football Development Executive.
Fernando Hierro - Bolton 2004-2005, 29 Appearances with 1 goal.
An absolute coup for Bolton, Hierro signed for The Trotters in 2004 on the advice of Steve McManaman who was a Real Madrid team mate at the time. He was a massive fan's favourite at Bolton and was begged to stay for another season by then manager Sam Allardyce and fans alike but he retired at the end of the season regardless. He is still regarded by many Bolton fans as one their greatest ever players.
Jurgen Klinsmann - Tottenham 1997-98, 15 Appearances with 9 goals.
After winding down his career at Sampdoria in Italy, Klinsmann made a surprise return to England with Tottenham with whom he had a previous successful spell in the mid-nineties. On his return he once again proved to be an inspiration for the team by scoring some crucial goals which meant that the club avoided relegation that year and cementing his place as one of the club's legends.
Didier Deschamps - Chelsea 1999-2000, 27 Appearances with 0 goals.
Deschamps arrived in England with Chelsea in 1999 after winning numerous trophies at club and international level. His one season with the West London club was relatively successful as they won the FA Cup but under performed in the league. Although he actually finished his career in Spain with Valencia, he only played for them 8 times before retiring at the relatively young age of 32.
Emmanuel Petit - Chelsea 2001-04, 55 appearances with 2 goals.
A previous spell with Arsenal in the late nineties where he won the Double encouraged Petit to return to England with Chelsea after a largely unsuccessful time at Barcelona. Petit formed a formidable midfield partnership with Frank Lampard whilst at the club but was unable to win any silverware during his time there and retired in 2004 after a bad knee injury.
Silvinho - Manchester City 2009-10, 10 Appearances with 1 goal.
Another player who had previous experience within the English Premier League with Arsenal in the late nineties, Silvinho returned in 2009 with Manchester City. Originally bought in as cover for Wayne Bridge, Silvinho got a decent run in the team when Bridge was injured. Unfortunately this was short lived as Bridge returned to full fitness after 2 months out and Silvinho was resigned to a place on the bench. At the end of the season he announced his retirement.
Laurent Blanc - Manchester United 2001-03, 48 Appearances with 1 goal.
Signed by Manchester United at the age of 35, the French World Cup winning captain spent 2 seasons at Old Trafford with mixed success. His first appearances for the club resulted in criticism by the fans as the club lost a string of games but he eventually adapted to the English game and in his second and final season he won the English Premier League with the club.
Ruud Gullit - Chelsea 1995-98, 32 Appearances with 4 goals.
A founding member of the "Foreign Revolution" of world class players who joined English Premier League clubs in the mid-nineties, Gullit revelled in his time at Chelsea and went on record saying that it was the happiest time in his career. In 1996 he was named Chelsea's Player of the Year and also came second in the Premier League Player of the Year after Eric Cantona.
Gianluca Vialli - Chelsea 1996-99, 58 Appearances with 21 goals
Vialli joined Chelsea as Player Manager in 1996 and went on to win the Coca Cola Cup, Cup Winners Cup and also ended up in fourth place in the English Premier League in his first season. His second season as player manager culminated in a third place in the EPL which was the highest that the club had reached since 1970 and was also the year that he retired from playing. Unfortunately he was sacked in his third season after an indifferent start to the season and a fallout with some of his star players.
Alen Boksic - Middlesbrough 2000-03, 68 Appearances with 22 goals.
A deadly striker feared across Europe surprised many when he signed for Middlesbrough in 2000. Although he had injury problems in his first season he still scored 12 goals and was named Player of the Year however he was plagued by injuries over the next 2 years and called time on his career in 2003.
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