SHOCK! Former Bafana Bafana midfielder retires aged 25 after SuperSport United exit, explains the reason for hanging up his boots

Former SuperSport midfielder Jesse Donn has made a shocking decision to retire from football at the age of 25.

This follows seven seasons of playing professional football, including five at SuperSport after joining them from Ubuntu Cape Town in 2019.

He explains the reason he is hanging his boots at his age.

“I have officially stepped away from playing football, which is pretty crazy to think of and even say,” Donn Mmaskepe Matsebane on Power Sports Extra as per iDiski Times.

“As a 25-year-old it’s not something that I saw coming but to put some context to it, it’s been a faith decision, not a football decision.

“By no means was it because of anything that happened within in the game. It wasn’t politics-related, it wasn’t injury-related, wasn’t attitude- or culture-related.

“But it’s a journey to put it very plain and simply that God has been leading me on and now leading myself and my wife on – and through that journey, it made us as a Donn family to step away from football. So that’s what I’ve done this season," he added.

“I won’t lie, it’s been difficult, I didn’t see it coming but God is really kind and there is a lot of exciting and new ventures ahead for me and I’m excited to see how I can still remain connected to the football industry cause I’m really passionate about the sport.  

“So you’ll see me around, for sure. But for now I’m hanging up the boots.”

Donn was released by SuperSport at the end of last season after falling out of favour under coach Gavin Hunt.

He saw limited game time following a promising period in his career which saw him being called to the Bafana Bafana squad by coach Hugo Broos in 2021.

At Matsatsantsa, he had fallen behind Grant Margeman and Siphesihle Ndlovu in midfield.

With Donn having mentioned that he is figuring out "how I can still remain connected to the football industry because I’m really passionate about the sport. So you’ll see me around, for sure," it is still to be seen in what capacity he might return in the game.

His options include coming back as a coach, an agent, or a football administrator.