Rwandan goalkeeper Jean-Luc Ndayishimiye has announced his retirement from professional football aged 35.
According to Times Sport, Ndayishimiye, one of the best goalkeepers that Rwanda has ever produced, enjoyed a successful career between the posts during his time at defunct ATRACO, Rayon Sports, APR FC, and AS Kigali among other teams. He also has 57 national team caps to his name.
“This is the end; I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been with me in this long journey that has not been easy as a goalkeeper in different teams. Thanks to the players, coaches, officials, fans, and my family,” the veteran posted via his Instagram account.
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“My journey as a football player ends here and I thank God who has been with me throughout these years. Where it did not go well, I apologize,” he further said.
Ndayishimiye started his career at Kimihurura-based JSK in 2004 where he spent one season in the club’s junior team and two seasons in the senior team. In 2005-2006, he helped the club win a topflight league promotion for the 2006-2007 season when the team joined Renaissance FC to rebrand to AS Kigali.
The shot-stopper played for AS Kigali for one season during the 2006/2007 season under the then head coach Jean Baptiste Kayiranga, helping the team finish fourth in their debut season. In 2007, the then 19-year-old goalkeeper was snapped up by defunct ATRACO and helped them win the league title and Cecafa Kagame Cup before completing a sensational move to APR where he played four seasons between 2009 and 2013.