FORMER Wanderers youth produce Aaron Mooy has retired from club and international football at the age of 32.

The midfielder’s shock decision comes after he had played a major role in Celtic’s treble-winning season in Scotland, playing 42 games in all competitions and scoring 11 times.

Mooy won 57 caps for Australia and played at the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals but announced his retirement via Celtic’s official website on Friday morning.

“While it feels really sad to be leaving the game, I just feel the time is right for me. I have been so fortunate to enjoy such a great career across the last 15 years, creating some fantastic memories,” he said.

'I am delighted to finish my career on such a high with Celtic and I would like to thank all the fans for the great support they gave me during the past year - I was delighted to be part of such a memorable season.'

“I hope Celtic continue to dominate the game and I wish Brendan, the new manager great success with the great group of lads at the club.”

He added: “Playing for my country is something I have loved too and of course I will miss the international set up and so many great people who are involved there.

“I have been fortunate to win a number of caps for my country and this has been really important to me - of course I wish Australia nothing but success for the future and I am sure they can get better and better.

“There are too many people to thank who have played such an important role in my career, so many managers, coaches, staff and fellow players. I have been very privileged to be part of some fantastic football environments, all created by really good people.

“My family is everything to me and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for the absolute support I have received from them during my career. I just want to thank them for being there for me in so many ways.

“Thank you once again to everyone who has supported me right across my career in this great game.”

The Bolton News: THEN: Midfielder Aaron Mooy playing for Wanderers Under-18s in 2009

Mooy started out at Bolton and was tipped for stardom in the club’s youth system – but he left the club without having made a first team appearance in 2010, rejecting a new contract offer, and moved to St Mirren.

After a spell playing back in Australia he moved back to the UK with Huddersfield Town and also featured for Brighton before moving to play for Shanghai Port in China for two seasons in 2020.

He signed for Celtic in the summer of 2022 and returning Parkhead boss Brendan Rodgers says he respects the midfielder’s decision.

“Clearly we are disappointed that Aaron will be retiring, however, it is something we absolutely respect. He has done so much in the game for a number of clubs and for his country and he deserves to make this decision on his own terms.

“I am delighted for Aaron that he has gone out on a real high after making such a telling contribution to Celtic last season and that, together with all his other achievements, should be a real source of pride to him.

“Club football and the international game will miss him dearly, but on behalf of everyone at Celtic I send Aaron and his family our heartfelt best wishes for the future.”