Former Nigeria international Brown Ideye has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 36, drawing the curtain on a career that spanned almost two decades across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The AFCON 2013 winner confirmed the decision on his official X (formerly Twitter) account late Tuesday night, describing the move as one made with “mixed emotions.”

“After much thought and consideration, I’ve decided to retire from professional football,” Ideye wrote. “This game made me and gave me everything — incredible joy, sad days, the opportunity to travel and see the world, lifelong friendships, and so many unforgettable memories.”

The striker last featured in the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League, playing his final match for Enyimba against Plateau United in May.

Over the course of his career, Ideye represented several clubs, including Neuchâtel Xamax, Sochaux, Dynamo Kiev, West Bromwich Albion, Olympiacos, Tianjin Teda, Málaga, Aris, Göztepe, and Al-Yarmouk, before returning to Nigeria with Enyimba.

He enjoyed significant success at club level, winning league titles in Greece with Olympiacos and lifting the Ukrainian Cup with Dynamo Kiev. He also competed in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, English Premier League, and the CAF Confederation Cup.

On the international stage, Ideye made his Super Eagles debut in 2010 and was part of Stephen Keshi’s side that lifted the 2013 AFCON in South Africa. He also featured at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, earning a total of 36 caps before his last appearance in 2016.

“Thank you, Nigeria, for the opportunity you gave me to wear the national colours and be among the Super Eagles,” Ideye added. “Though my time as a pro-player has come to an end, football will always be part of my life as I enter my next chapter.”
 

">https://twitter.com/brownaideideye/status/1957929681878986871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2025

— (@brownaideideye) August 19, 2025

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