Former Wales international Sam Vokes has confirmed he will retire from professional football at the end of the current season. The 36-year-old striker will play his final match for Gillingham against Shrewsbury Town on 2 May 2026, bringing the curtain down on a career spanning two decades.
"It's been 20 years since my debut and after 750 appearances, including 64 caps for Wales, this Saturday's match at Gillingham will be my last," Vokes wrote on social media. "I feel now is the right time to retire from a career I have absolutely loved."
Vokes began his professional career at Bournemouth before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2008. He scored eight goals in his debut season at Molineux as Wolves secured promotion to the Premier League. The forward later enjoyed loan spells at Leeds United, Bristol City, Sheffield United, Norwich City, Burnley, and Brighton & Hove Albion before making a permanent move to Burnley in 2012.
At Turf Moor, Vokes was part of two promotion-winning squads under Sean Dyche, reaching the Premier League in 2014 and 2016. He spent seven years with the Clarets before two seasons at Stoke City in the Championship. Vokes then joined Wycombe Wanderers in 2021 and signed for Gillingham in the summer of 2025, scoring three goals in 35 appearances this season.
A Southampton fan, Vokes said: "I remember watching my team, the Saints, down at The Dell, dreaming of one day making just one appearance in professional football. Never did I dream I would be fortunate enough to have played across all four divisions and represent some amazing clubs."
Vokes was a key figure in Wales' historic run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, famously scoring a late header in the dramatic 3-1 victory over Belgium. He earned 64 caps for his country, scoring 11 goals.
His retirement follows that of former Wales captain Aaron Ramsey, who hung up his boots earlier this month.