Lukas Jutkiewicz: Birmingham striker to retire at end of season

Birmingham City striker Lukas Jutkiewicz is to end his playing career at the end of the season.

The 36-year-old has made 356 appearances for Blues over the past nine years and scored twice in 25 games this season as they cruised to the League One title.

Jutkiewicz will remain with the club in a new role, which has yet to be specified.

“He is held in the highest regard by everyone at the club and he is loved by our fans like no other player in recent history,” interim chief executive Jeremy Dale told the club website., external

“Even though his time as a player is ending, we are delighted that he will be taking up a new role.

“To spend nine years at one club is a rarity in the modern game, and not only has he led by example on the pitch with his performances, but he has so often been an ambassador off the field within the local community.”

Jutkiewicz began his career at Swindon Town and had spells with clubs including Middlesbrough, Coventry City and Burnley before joining Birmingham in the summer of 2016.

He has scored more than 120 goals during his career – including 69 for Blues – and played under 15 managers at St Andrew’s, as well as being named Birmingham’s Player of the Year in 2020.

Blues director of football Craig Gardner, a former team-mate, said: “He gave absolutely everything on the pitch and is a credit to our profession.

“His loyalty and love for the club was evident to everyone throughout what was often turbulent times, and he always embraced his role in the community programme and more recently with the Foundation.

“As a former team-mate of his, I’m delighted he will be remaining with us as he takes the next step in his career. I have no doubt that he will be an overwhelming success and will be as committed and hard working off the pitch, as he was on it.”