Jonathan Viera announces retirement from football

The 37-year-old midfielder, a UD Las Palmas legend with 295 official appearances and 76 goals, retires after spells at Valencia, Rayo Vallecano, Almería and clubs across Europe and Asia.

Jonathan Viera has announced his retirement from professional football at age 37. The Gran Canarian midfielder, who spent five separate spells at UD Las Palmas—the club where he was formed and made his debut in 2010—departs with 295 official appearances and 76 goals for the Canary Islands side. He was instrumental in two promotions to La Liga in 2014-15 and 2022-23, becoming one of the great figures of Canarian football.

Beyond Las Palmas, Viera played for Valencia, Rayo Vallecano, Almería, Standard Liège, Beijing Guoan, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Khor Fakkan and Ratchaburi, where he finished his playing career. He earned one cap for Spain's senior team on 6 October 2017 against Albania in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

Viera has signalled his intention to move into coaching and is preparing to obtain his coaching qualifications. He has expressed a dream of one day returning to UD Las Palmas as manager.