Sports
‘I Won Europa League at Spurs & Retired at 26 to Become a Photographer’
For many people, becoming a professional footballer is their dream. Although many have pursued that fantasy, only a select few will ever make it to the top — be it the Premier League or another top European division.
Alfie Whiteman was, to many, one of the lucky ones. The north London-born goalkeeper joined Tottenham Hotspur’s academy at just 10 years old, going on to represent the club’s youth teams. And when he signed a three-year senior contract in 2019, he might have assumed that it would be the first step in a long and prosperous football career.
But earlier this year, the goalkeeper decided to quit the sport at just 26-years-old following the expiry of his contract at Spurs to pursue a career in photography and film.
Although many footballers have gone on to pursue unusual jobs after their careers, it seemed strange to quit when in your peak years as a player. But while others might have been shocked, it was a decision that had been years in the making for Whiteman.
The signs were certainly promising for the goalkeeper when he was a youngster. At the time, he was featuring for both Spurs and England’s youth teams, picking up appearances for both the under-17 and under-19 international sides.
But while he was living out most people’s dream, Whiteman wasn’t fulfilled by his pursuits. Speaking to The Athletic, he said: “I left school at 16 and went straight into this full-time life of football.
“When I was around 17 or 18, living in digs, I just had this feeling inside of, ‘Is this it?’ Getting on the mini bus, going to training, doing the Sports Science BTEC and going home to play video games. I realised, ‘Oh, I’m not happy here’ from quite a young age.”
It was at that time when Whiteman began exploring his other passions. He took acting classes when he wasn’t training and also hosted his monthly radio show, ‘Sweet Tooth’. But it was photography that really hooked him in.
His ex-girlfriend’s best friend was a director. They allowed him to connect with other leaders in the creative industry, including directors and photographers, while the Tottenham star also assisted as a runner on sets, in an attempt to set himself up for life after football.
“It just started opening my eyes to what life has to offer.”
Quitting the Game
Whiteman’s football career was still progressing, though. He made his professional debut in 2020, coming on as a substitute against Ludogrets Razgrad in the Europa League, and then went on to earn regular minutes on loan at Swedish side Degerfors for two years.
It even seemed like a future at Spurs was not out of the question, as he put pen to paper on a two-year extension in February 2023. But, after he suffered an ankle injury in Singapore and spent most of the 2023/24 season rehabbing, he started to think about his long-term future.
“During that rehab, I worked so hard every day to try to get back,” he said. “I eventually did, but even then, it was just to be sat in the stands. It was so hard applying myself and really trying and then just not getting the games.
“Tottenham have an incredible training ground with incredible facilities, and I was working with the best players. But it wasn’t fulfilling. I want to be in a high-pressure game, or feel progress. When you’re not playing, it’s very difficult to do. It’s even worse, it’s more like you’re regressing.”
Check Out Alfie Whiteman’s Career Path Below
|
Alfie Whiteman’s Career |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Club |
Years |
Games |
|
Tottenham |
2019-2025 |
1 |
|
Degerfors |
2021 (Loan) and 2022 (Loan) |
34 |
The club then refused to sanction a loan move in 2024/25, as they needed Whiteman as a club-trained player for their Europa League campaign. Although he collected a winners’ medal, after Tottenham beat Manchester United in the final, he left the club after his contract expired.
Continuing in football was an option — the then 26-year-old went on trial at two clubs over the summer. But the goalkeeper decided to follow a new path, considering that he would no longer be playing at the top level.
“There was a weekend when I went home, and I started contemplating all my options. I had other things I’ve been building on the side and it was more exciting to me. To put it plainly, I saw happiness in these other avenues.
“It got to this point where I’d rather end this on my terms than go to a club that I just didn’t want to go to. When I was younger, I always said I didn’t want to play in the lower leagues; it was always about the highest level. Otherwise, I’d rather do something else.”
Whiteman Thriving as a Photographer
Now pursuing photography and film full-time, it’s safe to say his career’s gone pretty well so far since retiring. He was on set with photographer Harley Weir and rapper Central Cee for a shoot with Nike and has shot for brands On and Paloma Wool. He’s also got a solo exhibition coming up, which he pieced together while on loan at Degerfors, and helped shoot a feature documentary in Norway and Ukraine.
Signed to production company Somesuch and helping out with their photography, Whiteman’s got big aspirations for the future: “I’ve got project ideas for photo stuff and short film ideas. The plan is to do some short films, and then hopefully one day a feature-length. But there are no real strict steps. You can decide.
“I just want to be on set and work with some of the most talented cinematographers, directors of photography, producers and meet new people. There’s just so much to learn.”
With the 2025/26 season drawn to an end with Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League final win, clubs will already be focusing on what they can achieve in Europe next term. After winning the Europa League, Aston Villa will compete in the top competition, while fellow English side Crystal Palace will also move up a tier thanks to their Europa Conference League triumph.
In that competition, a single goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta was enough to see the Eagles lift the trophy, beating Spanish side Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the final. However, drama has now hit the Conference League ahead of the 2026/27 season, with one club already being banned.
Indeed, Azerbaijani team PFK Turan Tovuz have immediately been kicked out of the competition, consequently releasing a strong statement as they addressed the UEFA sanction.
PFK Turan Tovuz Banned From Conference League
PFK Turan Tovuz have not competed in European competition since the 1994-95 campaign but looked set to take part in the 2026/27 Conference League – alongside the likes of Ajax, Brighton and Atalanta – having finished third in the Azerbaijan Premier League last season. However, this now looks set to change.
The club based in Tovuz have been barred from participating in the competition following a ruling by European football’s governing body, UEFA. The issue is said to relate to historical match-fixing, with UEFA Article 4.01(g) of the Conference League regulations stating that a club’s ineligibility may be based on “being directly and/or indirectly involved in activity aimed at arranging or influencing the outcome of a match at national or international level.”
The club have now claimed that the ban is directly related to a disciplinary matter from seven years ago, which resulted in the nation’s football federation (AFFA) banning seven players – Gojayev Sanan, Rustamov Misir, Baghirov Emin, Sadigov Ilkin, Mammadov Rufət, Taghiyev Eltay and Guluzadeh Shahin – from all football-related activities.
PFK Turan Tovuz Share Strong Statement as They Plan to Appeal
PFK Turan Tovuz shared a strong statement claiming that they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and intend to make ‘no changes’ to their preparation plans for the tournament next season.
They also claimed the ban is directly related to a disciplinary matter from seven years ago, which resulted in the nation’s football federation (AFFA) banning seven players – Gojayev Sanan, Rustamov Misir, Baghirov Emin, Sadigov Ilkin, Mammadov Rufət, Taghiyev Eltay and Guluzadeh Shahin – from all football-related activities.
In full, the statement from PFK Turan Tovuz read:
“In the 2025/2026 season, we finished the season in 3rd place, following all sporting principles, and earned the right to play in the Conference League, which we are entitled to. The UEFA Disciplinary Committee conducted an investigation into whether our club met the criteria. The decision of the AFFA Disciplinary Committee dated December 13, 2019.
“It should be noted that the AFFA Disciplinary Committee banned seven players from our team, who played in the I Division in the 2019-2020 season, from all football-related activities.
“We would like to announce that our club will take all legal steps from today and will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to change the decision and ensure our participation in the Conference League, where we qualified, while maintaining all sporting principles.
“We would also like to inform you that there are no changes to our preparation plans for the Conference League. This month, the team members will gather and go to Turkey for a training camp.”
Manchester United will be eager to hit the ground running in 2026/26 after defying expectations with a third-place finish in the 2025/26 Premier League. The Red Devils were the best of the rest behind Arsenal and Manchester City last season, but it is clear from early cup exits that their squad requires a boost if they are to mount a serious challenge on any front in the upcoming campaign.
With Senne Lammens doing an impressive job between the posts, goalkeeper is no longer a problem area, but the midfield and defence could certainly do with some improvement, especially if Man Utd wish to concede fewer than the 50 goals they shipped in the league last term.
The likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko joined last season and shared the goal-scoring load, but a little more incision in the final third would go a long way towards making Michael Carrick’s side a truly dangerous prospect.
Ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, GIVEMESPORT brings you every new signing and departure from Old Trafford.
New Man Utd Signings 2026/27
|
Player |
Nationality |
Previous Club |
Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
– |
– |
– |
– |
The Red Devils are believed to be pursuing a deal for Brazil international midfielder Ederson, with Atalanta expecting a fee of around £40 million for the services of their star player.
Cristian Orozco, the highly regarded Colombian teen who has been touted as ‘the next Casemiro, is set to join the club in July from Fortaleza.
Meanwhile, Moussa Diaby is rumoured to be a target for the club as they seek to enhance their attacking options.
Manchester United 2026-27 Pre-Season: Tour, Fixtures, Results & How to Watch
Manchester United are looking ahead to pre-season, with a tour planned for the summer camp.
Man Utd Departures 2026/27
|
Player |
Nationality |
New Club |
Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rasmus Hojlund |
Denmark |
Napoli |
£43 million |
|
Casemiro |
Brazil |
Released |
N/A |
|
Tyrell Malacia |
Netherlands |
Released |
N/A |
The first official departure from Manchester United in the summer of 2026 was Rasmus Hojlund, who joins Napoli on a permanent deal. The Denmark international had been on loan with the Partenopei and their qualification for the Champions League triggered the completion of a full transfer worth £43 million.
Legendary Brazilian midfielder Casemiro left the club at the end of the season following the end of his contract, meaning he headed to the World Cup as part of Carlo Ancelotti’s Selecao with one eye on securing a new club after the tournament.
Tyrell Malacia also exited Old Trafford this summer, bringing an end to an injury-plagued four-year spell with the Red Devils.
Useful links
The 2026 Formula One season rolls into the ‘jewel in the crown’ this weekend at Monaco, for the first European race of the season. The legendary Monaco circuit brings a huge challenge for the drivers with 78 laps of racing on a tight and twisty circuit with the barriers never being far away.
The Monaco circuit consists of 19 corners with minimal overtaking opportunities, with only short straights and no straight mode zones, meaning drivers will not get additional power to assist with overtakes. The circuit could be well suited to the Ferrari car, which has looked good in slow speed sections so far. They aim to stop Mercedes‘ 100% winning record in proper races this season.
Kimi Antonelli comes into the race with a big 43-point lead over teammate George Russell after securing his fourth win in succession at the Canadian Grand Prix, but where will he finish this weekend?
We have asked the Supercomputer to predict who it thinks will come out on top.
|
Monaco GP predicted by Supercomputer (22-11) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Driver |
Team |
|
22. |
Lance Stroll |
Aston Martin |
|
21. |
Valtteri Bottas |
Cadillac |
|
20. |
Fernando Alonso |
Aston Martin |
|
19. |
Sergio Perez |
Cadillac |
|
18. |
Nico Hulkenberg |
Audi |
|
17. |
Arvid Lindblad |
Racing Bulls |
|
16. |
Gabriel Bortoleto |
Audi |
|
15. |
Esteban Ocon |
Haas |
|
14. |
Alex Albon |
Williams |
|
13. |
Carlos Sainz |
Williams |
|
12. |
Liam Lawson |
Racing Bulls |
|
11. |
Isack Hadjar |
Red Bull |
10
Franco Colapinto
Alpine
Alpine have had a strong start to the season which they will be looking to build upon. Argentine Colapinto picked up a sixth-place finish in Canada last time out and the Supercomputer predicts him to get another points finish this weekend in Monaco.
9
Oliver Bearman
Haas
Bearman has been one of the standout drivers this season so far, sitting in ninth position in the Drivers’ Championship with 18 points. He is predicted to get his tally up to 20 points, picking up a couple more this weekend for the Haas team.
8
Max Verstappen
Red Bull
Four-time champion Max Verstappen comes into the Monaco Grand Prix on a high off the back of his first podium of the season in Canada. It is predicted, however, that Red Bull will have a difficult weekend, with their car struggling with issues on bumpy tracks, something which the Monaco circuit is, which will dent any chance the Dutchman has of recreating his Canada exploits.
7
Pierre Gasly
Alpine
Frenchman Pierre Gasly is another driver who has enjoyed a strong start to the 2026 season. He has been a consistent point scorer so far and this is not likely to change, according to the Supercomputer’s predictions.
6
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
McLaren will have to shake off the disappointments from Canada, where a strategy error, which put them on intermediate tyres instead of slicks at the start, derailed their weekend completely. Piastri later had contact with Albon in the race before trundling to an 11th-place finish. The Supercomputer believes the Australian will, however, bounce back with a solid sixth-place finish and put some good points on the board.
5
Lando Norris
McLaren
Next comes Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris. Also suffering from the strategy blunder, his race came to an end on lap 38 due to a gearbox issue. The current champion won last year in Monaco, but has a far inferior car compared to the last visit to the principality. The Supercomputer predicts the Brit to come home in fifth place this Sunday.
4
George Russell
Mercedes
Following the perfect start in Australia in the season opener, Russell’s season has since gone a bit off script. The Brit has been outshone by teenage teammate Kimi Antonelli and suffered a mechanical failure while leading in Canada last time out, seeing him plummet to 43 points behind the Italian in the championship. The Supercomputer predicts Russell will finish P4 this weekend, further losing ground in the championship battle.
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3
Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton will come into Monaco full of confidence following a second-place finish in Canada. With a strong Ferrari car behind him, he will be in the fight for victory this weekend. He is a three-time winner at this venue and will look to use his experience to propel himself further up the order. The Supercomputer believes he will fall just short of the victory and will come home in third.
2
Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes
The 19-year-old Italian wonderkid has set the F1 season alight so far, winning four of the opening five races. He is full of confidence, with both himself and his car firing on all cylinders. The Italian has a great chance of victory this weekend and making it five on the bounce. Despite this, the Supercomputer predicts he will narrowly miss out on victory, but will still extend his lead in the championship by another six points.
1
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
Hometown hero Charles Leclerc comes into the weekend trying to recreate the heroics from his emotional victory here in 2024. Having grown up in the streets of Monaco, there is nobody on the grid who knows the track like the 28-year-old. This, and a circuit that suits the Ferrari car, will combine the perfect mix to set Leclerc on his way to victory, giving us a non-Mercedes race winner for the first time this season. Not a bad way to celebrate a new contract, either.
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