What Happened to Daniel Sturridge? Is Daniel Sturridge Retired?
Updated Aug 14, 2023
Who is Daniel Sturridge?
Daniel Andre Sturridge, born on September 1, 1989, is an English professional footballer who previously played as a striker for the A-League team Perth Glory. He has since transitioned into a role as a pundit for Sky Sports. Sturridge began his football journey with Aston Villa's youth academy before moving to Coventry City in 2002. In 2003, he joined Manchester City, where he showcased his talent and played in two FA Youth Cup finals.
Sturridge made his first-team debut during the 2007-08 season and became the only player to score in the FA Youth Cup, FA Cup, and Premier League within the same season. In 2009, he transferred to Chelsea, where he had a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers in the 2010-11 season, impressively scoring eight goals in 12 appearances. He returned to Chelsea for the 2011-12 season.
Born in Birmingham, England, Sturridge comes from a footballing family. His father, Mike Sturridge, was also a professional footballer, while his uncles Dean and Simon Sturridge were former players as well. During his younger years, Sturridge supported Derby County because his uncle Dean played for them.
However, after Dean's departure, Sturridge switched his allegiance to Arsenal. Despite his success on the field, injuries have plagued Sturridge's career, leading to his move to Perth Glory and subsequent retirement from professional football. He now shares his expertise and analysis as a pundit for Sky Sports.
What Happened to Daniel Sturridge?
Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has taken a step towards his post-playing career by joining Sky Sports. Although he has not officially announced his retirement, Sturridge's new role suggests a shift away from the pitch.
Sturridge had a successful career at Liverpool, featuring 27 times in his final season and scoring four goals, including a memorable strike against Chelsea. However, injuries have plagued his career at the top level. Despite these setbacks, Sturridge is widely regarded as one of the best strikers to have represented Liverpool in recent times.
Since leaving Liverpool in 2019, Sturridge has faced various challenges, including a six-week ban for betting charges shortly after his departure. This new role with Sky Sports marks an exciting opportunity for Sturridge to continue his involvement in the world of football and potentially explore a career in sports media. While his retirement as a player is yet to be formally announced, this move hints at a transition into a new chapter of his professional life.
Is Daniel Sturridge Retired?
Although Daniel Sturridge has not officially announced his retirement from football, he is currently without a club and has not played a game since April 30, 2022. Since leaving Liverpool in 2019, where he had a successful stint with 116 Premier League appearances and 51 goals, Sturridge has struggled with injuries and has only managed to play 23 league games in total. These games have been spread across three clubs, including West Brom, Trabzonspor in Turkey, and his most recent team, Perth Glory.
Sturridge, once known for his partnership with Luis Suarez at Liverpool, has faced a significant decline in recent years due to his injury woes. It seems that he is now exploring a potential career in the media, as he made headlines for his appearance on Sky Sports' coverage of the Chelsea vs Liverpool match. Fans have been curious about Sturridge's journey after his Premier League career and whether he has decided to retire from playing professional football altogether.
Daniel Sturridge Chelsea
Chelsea and Daniel Sturridge's journey began in the 2009-2010 season when the English footballer joined Chelsea from Manchester City. His transfer fee was determined by a tribunal due to his age and contract situation, ultimately resulting in Chelsea paying an initial fee of £3.5 million with additional payments based on appearances and achievements.
Sturridge made his Premier League debut for Chelsea in August 2009 and quickly showcased his talents by scoring his first goals for the club in various competitions, including the FA Cup and Premier League.
In the 2010-2011 season, Sturridge continued to make his mark, debuting in the UEFA Champions League with a goal on his first appearance. Despite some loan spells, including a successful stint at Bolton Wanderers where he scored eight goals in 12 appearances, Sturridge returned to Chelsea and displayed his scoring ability in the Premier League, including matches against Sunderland, Manchester City, and Everton. He contributed to Chelsea's successes and emerged as a key player during this period.
The 2012-2013 season marked Sturridge's final chapter at Chelsea. He played in various competitions, scoring crucial goals such as the one against Manchester United in the League Cup.
However, with managerial changes and injuries, his time at Chelsea was cut short. Roberto Di Matteo's departure and Rafael Benítez's arrival, combined with Sturridge's injury concerns, eventually led to his departure from the club. This marked the end of his Chelsea career, but his contributions to the club's campaigns, including in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, remained notable.
Daniel Sturridge Liverpool
Daniel Sturridge's Liverpool journey began in the 2012-2013 season when he transferred from Chelsea to Liverpool on January 2, 2013, for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £12 million.
He made a swift impact, scoring his debut Liverpool goal in just seven minutes during an FA Cup match against Mansfield Town. Sturridge's scoring prowess continued as he found the net on his league debut for the club against Manchester United and later scored his third goal for Liverpool against Norwich City, becoming the first Liverpool player since 1974 to score three goals in his first three appearances.
Sturridge's contributions remained consistent as he scored against various opponents, including Manchester City and former club Chelsea. He concluded the season by netting his first career hat-trick against Fulham. In the 2013-2014 season, Sturridge's impressive form continued, earning him the Premier League Player of the Month award for August. His goal-scoring streak was remarkable, as he became the second player in Premier League history to score in eight consecutive matches.
Sturridge's exceptional performances led to him being nominated for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award and securing a place in the PFA Team of the Year. The season's highlight was finishing as the Premier League's runner-up in the Golden Boot race with 21 league goals.
Despite facing injury challenges, Sturridge maintained his impact in the following seasons, contributing to Liverpool's successes in domestic and European competitions. His journey with Liverpool continued until the summer of 2019, when he was released by the club and subsequently faced a betting rules violation suspension.
Daniel Sturridge Early Life
Daniel Andre Sturridge was born on September 1, 1989, in Birmingham, West Midlands. Hailing from a football-oriented family, Sturridge is the son of Mike Sturridge, a former footballer, and the nephew of Dean and Simon Sturridge, who also had careers in football. In his younger years, he initially supported Derby County due to his uncle Dean's affiliation with the club, but his allegiance shifted to Arsenal after Dean's departure.
Sturridge is a devout Christian and often attributes his strength and success to his faith in Christ. His active involvement in charitable endeavors includes supporting young players' entry into football. He has donated substantial amounts to Street League, a charity that aids disadvantaged players in Europe to participate in football.
Additionally, he founded his own charity foundation in Portmore, Jamaica, with the goal of promoting sports and entertainment among the local youth. Sturridge's Jamaican heritage is significant, with all of his grandparents having Jamaican roots. He also owns the Sturr Class Entertainment record company.
What Happened to Daniel Sturridge - FAQs
While Daniel Sturridge has not officially announced his retirement, he has not played a game since April 30, 2022, and has taken on a media role with Sky Sports.
Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has taken a step towards his post-playing career by joining Sky Sports. Although he has not officially announced his retirement, Sturridge's new role suggests a shift away from the pitch.
Yes, Daniel Sturridge faced injury challenges throughout his career, which impacted his playing time and performance.
Yes, Daniel Sturridge has been actively involved in charity work, including supporting young players' entry into football and contributing to organizations like Street League.