Reading FC's Matt Ritchie announces his retirement from football
He's joining Bournemouth as technical director
Last updated 8th Jun 2026
Reading midfielder Matt Ritchie has made the decision to retire from professional football in order to take up a new position at Premier League side Bournemouth.
The 36-year-old joined the club last summer and scored once in 29 appearances at the end of an impressive career which took in all three English Football League divisions and the Premier League.
A Scotland international, Matt twice won the Championship with the Cherries and Newcastle United, as well as League Two with Bournemouth and Notts County.
Popular at Swindon Town, the winger won League Two Player of the Year and League One Player of the Year in 2011/12 and 2012/13.
“It has come as a shock, but I am retiring for a good reason, I have a great opportunity to move into a role at Bournemouth which I couldn’t turn down and something I am really grateful for,” Matt told RoyalsTV.
“It made my decision for me. I am so grateful to the game, I have had a wonderful time. Football has given me everything and more than I ever wanted; friendships, relationships, taken me to countries I never thought I would go to and memories.
“To everyone who has played my part in my development and career - teammates, coaches, fans, they make the moments so special. It has been an amazing journey full of ups and downs but from each of those I have grown individually and collectively, with whichever team I was with.”