Jordan Rhodes Retires: Huddersfield & Blackburn Legend Hangs Up Boots, Takes Rovers Role

Jordan Rhodes, a prolific striker known for his goal-scoring exploits with Huddersfield Town, Blackburn Rovers, and several other clubs, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35. Rhodes, who ranks as the third-highest goalscorer in English league football over the past two decades, will now take on the role of loans manager at his former club, Blackburn Rovers. His decision marks the end of a remarkable career that saw him consistently find the back of the net across various levels of the game.

Only Billy Sharp (259 goals) and Harry Kane (227 goals) have surpassed Rhodes' impressive tally of 220 goals in the top four tiers of English football since the 2004-05 season. This places him in elite company and underscores his sustained excellence as a goalscorer. Rhodes also represented Scotland at the international level, earning 14 caps and scoring three goals for his country.

Image source, Rex Features

Rhodes' professional journey began with Ipswich Town, but he rose to prominence after joining Huddersfield Town in July 2009. During his three-year stint with the Terriers, he established himself as a clinical finisher, scoring an impressive 73 goals in 124 league appearances. His goal-scoring record attracted the attention of Blackburn Rovers, who signed him for £8 million in August 2012.

A statement from Huddersfield Town lauded Rhodes as a "legend in West Yorkshire" and acknowledged that he "will be forever cherished by Town fans for his contributions over two spells." This reflects the high regard in which he is held by the club and its supporters.

At Ewood Park, Rhodes continued his prolific form, netting 83 goals in 159 Championship games. His partnership with Rudy Gestede was particularly fruitful, and he became the division's all-time second-highest scorer since the league's rebrand in 2004. Gestede is now the head of football operations at Blackburn, marking a reunion of sorts in their respective new roles.

Subsequent moves to Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday didn't yield the same goal-scoring success, although Rhodes did contribute to Norwich City's promotion to the Premier League during a loan spell in 2018-19. He later returned to Huddersfield for a second spell in July 2021, aiming to rekindle his previous form.

While he couldn't quite replicate his earlier heroics in West Yorkshire, Rhodes remained a valuable member of the squad and played a significant role in the team's run to the Championship play-off final in 2021-22, where they were narrowly defeated by Nottingham Forest.

In the 2023-24 season, Rhodes enjoyed a productive loan spell at League One side Blackpool, scoring 15 goals in 29 league games. However, his permanent move to Blackpool in the summer of 2024 didn't pan out as expected, as he struggled to find the net in 21 third-tier appearances. He concluded the season on loan with Mansfield Town.

Rhodes' final goal as a professional footballer came in a 1-1 draw against Stevenage in March while playing for Mansfield. Although it was his only goal for the Stags, it marked the end of a long and successful career.

His new role as loans manager at Blackburn Rovers signifies a transition from scoring goals to nurturing young talent. It's a testament to his knowledge of the game and his ability to contribute to the club in a different capacity. The move allows Rhodes to remain involved in football and pass on his experience to the next generation of players.