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Former Premier League star, 35, retires and immediately takes up shock new job
Sep 03 2025 21:38 · By Kostas Lianos/Kostas Lianos
· View Original
A FORMER Premier League ace has rolled the credits on his 18-year career.
But the former striker made a swift return to football by immediately returning to one of his old clubs.
2 Jordan Rhodes announced his retirement at the age of 35 Credit: Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images
2 Rhodes was appointed Blackburn Rovers' new loans manager Credit: Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images
Jordan Rhodes called time on his playing days earlier today.
The 35-year-old announced his decision to hang up his boots after a year with Blackpool .
According to the BBC , the former Scotland international was then immediately hired by Blackburn Rovers in an unusual role.
The former centre-forward was appointed as Rovers ' new loans manager.
Rhodes knows all about loans, and completed one of his own at Mansfield in the second half of last season.
The English-born Scotland star's senior career kicked off in 2007 at Ipswich Town following a two-year stint in the Tractor Boys' youth ranks.
He had loan stints at Oxford United, Rochdale and Brentford during his two-year stint at Portman Road.
Rhodes then played for Huddersfield and Blackburn before moving to Middlesbrough in 2016 and making six Premier League appearances.
The Oldham-born ace spent one year at Boro, the second half of which was on loan at Sheffield Wednesday who signed him on a permanent deal in 2017.
Rhodes' four-year stint at Hillsborough included a loan move to Norwich.
The former No9 returned to Huddersfield in 2021 and two years later was loaned out to Blackpool who signed him permanently in 2024.