Former Premier League striker Saido Berahino has announced his retirement from active football at the age of 33, opting to turn his attention toward a coaching role with the Burundi national team. The Midlands-raised forward, who was capped by England at youth levels before playing senior international football for his native Burundi, confirmed the end of his playing career through an emotional social media message titled 'A Letter To The Game'.
Berahino made his breakthrough at boyhood club West Bromwich Albion, where he scored a hat-trick on his very first start against Newport County in the EFL Cup in August 2013 at the age of 20. He went on to net 36 goals in 121 appearances for the Baggies, highlighted by an outstanding 2014-15 campaign in which he registered 20 goals across Premier League and cup fixtures. Following a drop in form during his latter period at The Hawthorns under Tony Pulis, he secured a £12m transfer to Stoke City in January 2017. However, his spell with the Potters proved challenging, coinciding with the club's relegation from the top tier in April 2018. Despite netting five times in 2018-19 after being handed an opportunity by Gary Rowett, he subsequently fell out of favour and departed by mutual consent with three years remaining on his contract.
Following his Stoke exit in August 2019, Berahino headed to Belgium to play for Waregem and Charleroi before returning to England to sign for former West Brom boss Darren Moore at Sheffield Wednesday in August 2021. His travels then took him to leagues in Cyprus, India, and Slovenia, finishing with a total of 72 goals in European club football. Internationally, Berahino represented England at every tier up to under-21 level and was twice selected for the senior England squad by Roy Hodgson without earning a cap, before later scoring two goals in 23 appearances for Burundi.
Looking ahead to his new chapter on the touchline, Berahino expressed deep gratitude for his journey, stating: "Football has given me everything. From the streets of Bujumbura to The Hawthorns, from the Premier League to places I never imagined I'd play - this game carried a young refugee kid through life." He concluded by confirming his transition to the Burundi coaching staff, explaining: "My body and my heart are ready for the next chapter. I am proud and grateful to now serve the Burundi national team as a coach. Giving back to the country that made me, and helping the next generation, feels right."