Ledley King is to be given the opportunity to turn out in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt one last time, the club has announced.
The former England defender – who was forced to retire due to injury in 2012 aged 31 – will lead a Guest XI side out in a testimonial match at White Hart Lane on Monday 12 May - and given the circumstances surrounding his retirement it is an opportunity King is relishing.
"It will be emotional," he told TheFA.com.
"When I did retire it wasn’t a decision I made while I was playing – it was one that I made in the off-season – so to go out on to the pitch one more time, knowing that it will be my last time and for the fans to know it will be my last game will be special.
Ledley King Testimonial
Spurs vs Ledley King Spurs XI
8pm, Monday 12 May
White Hart Lane
"I'm sure it will be a very emotional night and I’m really looking forward to it."
A one-club man, King made 323 appearances for Spurs in his 13 years as a player at the Lane and was widely recognised as one of the most naturally gifted centre-backs of his generation.
His consistently outstanding club form also earned him international recognition and he made 21 appearances for the Three Lions – and was a member of the Euro 2004 and World Cup 2010 squads.
These days Ledley is keeping busy working as a club ambassador and is also working towards earning his coaching badges.
“It’s been a learning curve for me because previously I had put all my efforts into becoming a footballer from a very young age, to be doing something different but still be involved with the club is great,” he added.
But his immediate concern is focusing on what promises to be a special night of nostalgia and excitement at the Lane.
King scored twice for England in his 21 appearances
He said: “It’s a great opportunity for me to say thank you to the club, to the fans and to play on the pitch for one last time and bring some old faces back that I’ve played with in the past. So it should be a real fun experience for everyone involved.
“I can’t give too much away at the moment as to who will be involved - but I can say there will be some real legends of Tottenham – players that have been supported well throughout their time at the club and there are some real fan favourites in there.”
And on the old fashioned tradition of letting the subject of the testimonial take the penalties – King joked that he may not be afforded the opportunity.
“It depends who’s on the pitch at the time,” laughed King. “We might have a few penalty takers on there ahead of me – so it depends if they’ll let me really! I wouldn’t mind taking a free-kick if I get the opportunity, I reckon I could do something with one of them.
“It will be a bit of fun, but the kind of person that I am means I will be taking it seriously as will. I’ll want to go out there and win.”
Tickets for this match are available on general sale to purchase via the Tottenham Hotspur website.
Click here for more information and to purchase your tickets.
