Former Southampton striker Billy Sharp became visibly emotional after confirming his retirement from football live on TV. Sharp, aged 40, featured on Sky Sports as a pundit before the Saints' Championship derby encounter with Portsmouth on Sunday.
He was shown a compilation of his career highlights featuring numerous former team-mates and managers delivering messages following his decision to hang up his boots. The footage concluded with Sharp carrying his young son on his shoulders after his final appearance for Sheffield United.
Emotional moment on air
Sharp, who last turned out for Doncaster Rovers last season, became tearful following the montage, which reflected on his 22-year career. He said while fighting back tears: "I didn't know that was coming. You make a lot of friends in football and... that was tough [sobs]."
Presenter Jules Breach intervened to comfort the former striker, placing her hand on his shoulder while saying: "Aw, that's brilliant for you. Good for you mate. It's lovely to see and it's an amazing career. So what is next for you, if you can still talk?"
Plans for the future
Sharp responded: "I've loved working with you guys. I have been lucky to have this platform to show my goalscoring on Sky and in the EFL.
"I've got plans for the future. I've just had a newborn baby so I've taken some time off for that. I have taken some time to make that decision. I am incredibly proud of my career.
"I have done my coaching badges and the LMA manager diploma but I do love doing this with you guys. I reckon I can do more."
End of a distinguished career
A visibly emotional Sharp had announced his retirement just moments earlier live on Sky Sports while on punditry duty for Sunday's fixture at St Mary's - a ground where he featured during the promotion-clinching 2011/12 campaign.
He said: "I'm going to hang the boots up. I gave it a good ride. Got a long way, got to 40. I wanted to do it on my own terms - have a choice.
"I've seen many friends have that taken away with injuries and things like that. I want to go out with a bang and luckily I scored a hat-trick in my last ever appearance.
"People have been saying, 'Don't you want to get that 300th goal?' It would have been lovely to get that but I've had an unbelievable career.
"I love football. Maybe not the most talented player or liked on the pitch but I think I've got every single bit out of my career."
Sharp's final outing for Doncaster in May saw him score four times against Peterborough, a haul that would have taken his tally to 300 career goals, had one not been disallowed for offside.
He brings the curtain down on a distinguished career with 814 appearances, having represented clubs including Sheffield United, Scunthorpe United, Rovers, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Reading, Leeds United, LA Galaxy and Hull City.
