'Legend' - Real Madrid icon Gareth Bale sends special message to former team-mate after retirement announcement

At the age of 38, and having spent three years filling back-up duties at Nottingham Forest, Hennessey has announced that he will be hanging up his gloves. The veteran goalkeeper is bringing a 19-year career to a close.

He started out at Wolves, taking in 166 appearances for them, before picking up more Premier League experience across eight seasons at Crystal Palace. A short stint at Burnley was followed by a move to the City Ground.

Hennessey is also a centurion at international level, with 109 senior caps earned for Wales on the back of making his debut in 2007. His career at that level included European Championship and World Cup outings.

Bale made many appearances for Wales alongside Hennessey, with the former Tottenham and Real Madrid superstar posting on social media after seeing a familiar face join him in retirement: “A Welsh football legend, some of the best times of my career were alongside you. Happy retirement.”

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Hennessey has said that he is looking forward to taking “the next steps in my football journey”, which would suggest that a proven performer at the highest level is considering a move into coaching.