Socceroos midfielder Tom Rogic has retired from football, declaring it was time he devoted himself to his growing family following fertility issues that had troubled him and his wife for several years.
A little more than three months after fellow Socceroos playmaker Aaron Mooy announced his retirement, 30-year-old Rogic has also hung up his boots after a decorated career that included 53 caps for Australia and 16 major trophies with Scottish giants Celtic.
The Canberra product left Celtic in May last year before joining English Championship club West Bromwich Albion four months later for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.
Rogic’s final appearance for West Brom was on April 23 in a 2-1 loss to Sunderland.
Rogic announced his retirement on social media, saying it was “important for people to understand why and how” he made his decision.
“Throughout the past seven years, my wife and I have been on an immensely challenging journey with fertility issues. After years of trying and many failed rounds of IVF, my wife and I were fortunate enough to welcome the birth of our daughter in 2021,” Rogic said.
“I have loved every minute of being a dad and consider it my greatest achievement in life.
“After experiencing some more struggles and heartache with fertility treatment, we have recently received the amazing news that our family is growing and we will be expecting twins in 2024.
“Given our past and how hard we have fought for this, along with the challenges that will come with having twins and a two-year-old, now seems like the right time to give my focus and attention to what is the most important thing in my life – my family.
“After being away for so many years, my family and I have now returned home to Australia as we look ahead to next year and the arrival of our new family members.”
Rogic said he felt “very lucky” to have represented the Socceroos and played for Celtic.
“As a young boy growing up in Australia I couldn’t have imagined experiencing all I was able to do in football,” he said.
“I’d like to thank all of my teammates for everything over the past 12 years. It’s been a special journey which I’ll look back on with fond memories. I feel very lucky to have formed some wonderful friendships through football and experienced so many special moments together.”
He also expressed special thanks to former Celtic chief executive officer Peter Lawwell and Celtic’s major shareholder Dermot Desmond for their help with Rogic’s hopes of starting a family.
“Without their help all of this would not have been possible. Through Peter and Dermot, I was put in direct contact with one of the world’s leading medical experts, which eventually led to my wife and I being placed at the clinic that would give us the best chance possible to start a family – I will be forever grateful,” he said.
Rogic also thanked a host of his former coaches, including Ange Postecoglou, and “all the fans”.
“You have been everything to me,” he said.
