Premier League star who quit football at 29, now a restaurant owner

• David Bentley was seen as one of the best youngsters during his days at Arsenal’s academy.
• Unfortunately, his football career didn’t go as expected by many football fans. He spent time on loan at several clubs before eventually retiring at the age of 29.
• He last played in 2013 while he was 28.
• David Bentley is now a bar and restaurant owner in Spain and Gibraltar. He also runs a construction company. The company is called Shortgrove Renovations and Construction Company.

Football is undoubtedly one of the highest paying careers in the world. Football players especially in Europe live lavish lifestyles. Football stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi are ranked among the richest athletes in the world.

Most football players retire in their mid-30s when they have made a lot of money from the sport.

However, there is a former English Premier League star who surprised many football fans when he announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 29.

David Bentley was a star football player during his early career days. The England international was one of the best wingers in the Premier League during his early career days.

Bentley who is an academy graduate of Arsenal could also play as a central midfielder or a second striker. Arsene Wenger mostly used him as a second striker at Arsenal.

During his career in the English Premier League, David Bentley played for Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, West Ham United and FC Rostov. He also represented the England national team where he made 7 appearances before quitting football.

David Bentley playing for Arsenal. Photo/ FourFour Two

David Bentley didn’t get the chance to impress at Arsenal as expected due to a strong senior squad that limited his playing opportunities. However, his chip against Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in the FA Cup is still one of his best moments.

David Bentley remembers that day as the best day of his life. During an interview with The Athletic, Bentley recalled how the fans were all talking about him after he scored the chip goal. He still remembers how he was all over the newspapers the following day.

During his time with Tottenham Hotspurs, he helped the club reach the finals of the English Football League Cup in 2009. However, Tottenham Hotspurs lost the trophy to Manchester United after penalty shootouts.

Well, the England international surprised many football fans in 2014. This is after he announced his retirement from professional football. David Bentley who is currently 37 years old was just 29 when he announced his retirement.

During an interview with The Mirror in 2014, David Bentley cited loss of passion as the reason for his early retirement. He had not played for a whole season when he hanged his boots. He had last played a match while on loan at Blackburn Rovers.

Tottenham Hotspurs terminated their contract with the attacking midfielder after his loan period at Blackburn Rovers. According to Bentley, he was not built for the life of a footballer.

The former Arsenal man revealed that he was having a few doubts about his football career while on loan at Blackburn Rovers. He felt a little disappointed with how his football career was going.

David Bentley actually loved football while he was at Arsenal’s academy. He loved the buzz and the atmosphere that came with youth league matches. His biggest disappointment was coming out of youth team football.

According to Bentley, professional football wasn’t that exciting. He just decided that his future was outside of football after Tottenham Hotspurs terminated his contract.

Well, Bentley lived in Marbella for a few years before embarking on a second career. The former Premier League star is now a successful businessman. He helps to run the Sala group which comprises of bars and restaurants in Gibraltar and Spain.

The former midfielder is now enjoying success in business as he also runs a construction company known as Shortgrove Renovations and Construction. Bentley does not have any regrets concerning his early retirement from football. According to Bentley, he has learnt a lot in business.

The England international enjoys his current career. He has really flourished in the business world and is happy with how his life is going on.

David Bentley at L Sala restaurant in Spain. Photo/ The Mirror