I lifted the Europa League with Tottenham — then walked away from football at 26 to start a whole new life.

In May 2025, Alfie Whiteman lifted his first major trophy with Tottenham, earning a Europa League medal after Spurs edged Manchester United 1–0 in Bilbao.

However, just months later, the England youth goalkeeper made a surprising choice about his future. When his contract expired at the end of June, Tottenham released the 26-year-old, making him a free agent. Although several EFL clubs showed interest, Whiteman chose not to continue his football career.

Instead, he stepped away from the game entirely to pursue a new path in the creative industry. He is now working as a photographer and film director with award-winning production company Somesuch.

Whiteman has long been passionate about the arts, hosting a monthly music show and sharing film reviews online. Speaking about his decision, he revealed that the idea had been developing for years, explaining that he began to question his football life as a teenager and felt disconnected from the routine and culture surrounding the sport.

He described feeling different from his peers and said meeting people outside football helped broaden his perspective and reshape his ambitions. Realising that a football career is short-lived, he decided to invest his time in creative pursuits that genuinely inspired him.

The former Spurs goalkeeper also admitted he has largely lost interest in watching football since deciding to retire. During his eight years on Tottenham’s senior roster, he made just one competitive appearance, a Europa League match in 2020. He also expressed frustration after the club denied his request for a loan move in the 2024/25 season.

After trials with EFL clubs, Whiteman eventually found his breakthrough in the production world through a photography project, which led to his signing with Somesuch.

Looking ahead, the 27-year-old hopes to work at the 2026 World Cup in his new role, while still enjoying football casually with friends, purely for the love of the game.