Alfie Whiteman has announced his retirement and career U-turn at the age of 27(Image: 2019 Getty Images)

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman has hung up his boots at the age of 27. The decision came at the end of last season when he was just 26.

Whiteman, who was part of Ange Postecoglou's Europa League-winning squad, had been with Spurs since his youth team days before penning his first professional contract. During his tenure at Tottenham, he had two loan spells - both with Swedish outfit Degerfors - but never really managed to break into the first team and often found himself far down the pecking order.

His limited first-team action prompted him to explore other interests, including acting classes, broadcasting, and photography. According to The Athletic, he anticipated continuing his football career after being released by Spurs at the close of last season.

However, the goalkeeper decided to retire on his own terms over the summer and is now pursuing a career in photography, confessing that he was unhappy as a professional footballer.

He shared: "I signed for Spurs at 10 years old....