Hooiveld stopt per direct: "Het doet pijn, maar aan alle mooie dingen komt een eind"

Jos Hooiveld heeft besloten per direct te stoppen met voetballen. Dit laat de 35-jarige verdediger weten via zijn Instagram account. Afgelopen seizoen speelde hij bij het Amerikaanse Orange County waarmee hij kampioen werd van de USL Western Conference. In de play-offs om het landelijk kampioenschap werden Hooiveld en zijn teamgenoten uitgeschakeld in de halve finales.

"Met 2019 in het vooruitzicht is het tijd om een ander richting te kiezen en uit mijn comfortzone te stappen. Ik ben al professioneel voetballer vanaf mijn 18e en het doet pijn afscheid te moeten nemen. Maar aan alle mooie dingen komt een eind." Lees hieronder de complete afscheidsbrief van Hooiveld.

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With 2019 coming up its a good time to change the known path and choose a different direction. Stepping out of my comfort zone and trying something new. Professional Football has been a part of my life since i was 18. 18 years later (17.5) it hurts to say goodbye to it. But all good things come to an end. It has given me everything I could wish for, but also it made me miss out on a lot.

Ive been almost 12 years abroad and away from my mom dad and brother. Them I want to thank the most together with my girl and mother of my two children @anoukyve who followed me the last part of the journey everywhere. My life has been enriched by the football, I have seen so many places.. met so many people Im forever in debt with you Lady Football. I would like to say it was an honour every minute on the pitch wearing all the jerseys of my now favourite clubs. I cherish it forever.

Most of the clubs I became a fan of for life and try to visit everytime i can. I couldnt have wished for more, same as the players I fought alongside with and even the ones that I fought against. I loved it, I hope Football can continue to be the sport I grew so fond of.

For now thanks to every single person out there that made my Footballjourney an unforgettable one. To the young kids: enjoy every minute of it, in a wink of an eye its over and its you that writes it on instagram.