Saido Berahino retires at 33 and says he will coach Burundi
The former West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City striker has ended his playing career and says he is ready to help Burundi’s national team.
Saido Berahino has retired from professional football at 33 and says he is ready to coach Burundi’s national team, BBC Sport reported on 19 October 2026. The former West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City striker described the move as a chance to help the next generation in the country he has represented as a player.
In an Instagram statement titled ‘A Letter To The Game’, Berahino wrote: ‘The time has come to hang up the boots. My body and my heart are ready for the next chapter.’ He said he was ‘proud and grateful’ to serve Burundi as a coach. He did not give a start date or describe the terms of the role.
Berahino’s West Brom and Stoke career
Berahino thanked West Brom for believing in him when he was a boy. He said the goals, supporters and moments at the club would remain special to him, while acknowledging ‘highs and lows, mistakes and lessons’. BBC Sport reports that he scored 36 goals in 121 appearances in all competitions for Albion, including 20 Premier League and cup goals in the 2014–15 season.
Stoke signed Berahino from West Brom for £12m in January 2017. His spell there was less productive: Stoke were relegated from the Premier League in April 2018, and Berahino scored five times in the 2018–19 season after being given another chance by manager Gary Rowett. He left by mutual consent in 2019 with three years remaining on his contract, according to BBC Sport.
After Stoke, Berahino played in Belgium, Cyprus, India and Slovenia. West Brom News identified Slovenian club MND Tabor Sezana as his most recent team. His international path also crossed two countries: he played for England through under-21 level and received two senior squad call-ups without making an appearance, before representing Burundi.
Jonas Olsson responds to retirement announcement
Former West Brom teammate Jonas Olsson responded to Berahino’s retirement post with the message, ‘Good luck with your next chapter, mate,’ West Brom News reported. Berahino closed his own statement by thanking his family and supporters who stayed with him throughout his career, adding that his retirement from playing was not a farewell to football.
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Sources and context
- Saido Berahino: Ex-West Brom & Stoke striker retires from football at 33BBC Sport
- Jonas Olsson sends message as ex-West Brom star Saido Berahino makes big announcementWest Brom News, republished by Yahoo Sports
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.