Former Spurs keeper Michel Vorm announces retirement

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Michel Vorm has hung up his boots at age 37. The former Netherlands international and experienced keeper announced his retirement from football today months after being released by Spurs for the second time in two seasons. Spurs tweeted a lovely thank you to Vorm on its social media today.

Vorm was never an established #1 keeper while at Spurs but he was a capable backup in his six years at the club, spending most of his time as the #2 to Hugo Lloris, and filling in as needed due to injury or rotation. He had a solid stint at Swansea City before coming to Spurs, and provided leadership and experience while at Tottenham.

Vorm’s status as a “safe pair of hands” seem to diminish a bit over the past few seasons — he was demoted to third keeper behind Paulo Gazzaniga in the 2018-19 season and was released after his contract expired at the end of that campaign. He was brought back on a short term contract in 2019-20 after Hugo Lloris sustained his horrific elbow injury and served as Gazzaniga’s primary backup, and was released again at the end of the COVID-extended season.

Michel never found another club to play for this year, and apparently decided at at age 37 now’s the time to move on to other things. He had his fans and his detractors, especially at the tail end of his career, but he was by all accounts a model professional and a very good person. Good luck to Michel on whatever comes next!