Europa League champion and former Spurs player retires at 27 to pursue a career in photography.

A former Tottenham Hotspur player who lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy last season has retired at just 27 to pursue a new path in photography.

In May, Spurs were crowned Europa League champions after a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, with Brennan Johnson’s first-half goal sealing the triumph for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Despite the European success, Postecoglou was dismissed due to poor Premier League results and later replaced by Thomas Frank. Among those who also departed was goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman, whose contract expired at the end of May.

Whiteman, 27, received a winner’s medal as one of the club-trained players in Tottenham’s squad but made only one senior appearance during his time in North London. After summer trials with two clubs, he decided to take a different route.

Speaking to The Athletic, Whiteman said: “There was a weekend when I went home and started weighing up my options. I had other projects on the side that felt more exciting to me. I saw happiness in those avenues and decided I’d rather end things on my terms than play somewhere I wasn’t passionate about.”

Since stepping away from football, Whiteman has embarked on a photography career and was recently spotted on a Nike shoot alongside photographer Harley Weir and British rapper Central Cee.

“I’ve got ideas for photo projects and short films,” Whiteman shared. “I just want to be on set, collaborate with talented cinematographers and producers, and keep learning. There’s so much to explore in this new world.”