GOOD LUK
Ex-Rangers star, 35, announces retirement just days after securing promotion to English Premier League
He's one of several former Scottish footie stars who have helped the club into the Premier League
HE'S the scorer of one of Rangers' finest Old Firm goals.
But just DAYS after securing promotion to the English Premier League, this former Ibrox ace has called time on his career.
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Ipswich Town are heading back to the top tier of English football for the first time in 22 years.
Their 2-0 win over Huddersfield saw them secure their Premier League spot for next season.
Kieran McKenna's squad contains a host of familiar faces for Scottish football fans.
Former Rangers duo George Edmundson and Dominic Ball, also formerly of Aberdeen, are part of the setup at Portman Road.
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Ex-St Mirren goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky has been their first choice stopper during their remarkable season, with ex-Ross County and Hibs loanee Harry Clarke also in the squad.
Goalscoring hero Wes Burns, too, had a spell in Scotland with Aberdeen.
But one ex-Scottish footie star who WON'T be a part of their Premier League journey is Sone Aluko.
That's because the former Rangers star has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35.
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Aluko has spent the past three years with Ipswich but was restricted to just a handful of appearances in the campaign just gone.
The former Nigeria international spent just six months as a Rangers player but made a huge impact in his short time at the club.
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Having come through the youth ranks at Birmingham City, Aluko joined Aberdeen on loan for the 2007/08 season, memorably scoring in a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich at Pittodrie.
He returned on a permanent basis the following summer and went on to make more than 100 appearances for the Dons.
After leaving in 2011, Aluko went on trial with Juventus but didn't win a contract.
Instead, after several months as a free agent, he joined Rangers on a free transfer in November 2011.
The 2011/12 campaign would of course be a hugely tumultuous one for Rangers, who were plunged into administration and ultimately liquidation.
Aluko, brother of ex-England star and TV pundit Eni, bagged 12 goals in 21 SPL matches in what proved the best goal return in a season during his career.
At the end of the campaign, Aluko was one of several players who objected to his contract being transferred Rangers' new company and left the club.
The tricky forward player is most fondly remembered by Gers fans for scoring with an incredible solo effort against Celtic.
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The goal came when the Old Firm met at Ibrox in March 2012.
With Rangers having been deducted 10 points the previous month after entering administration, a Celtic win that day would have seen them crowned champions.
But the Light Blues were determined not to let their rivals rub salt into their wounds by winning the title on their own patch and went on to secure a 3-2 win.
It was Aluko who got things started with a remarkable 10th minute strike.
Taking possession from 30 yards out, Aluko skilfully weaved his way past Hoops defender after Hoops defender before firing past Fraser Forster in the Celtic goal.
Strikes from Andy Little and Lee Wallace gave the Gers a commanding 3-0 lead and although the Hoops rallied with two late goals - in a game that also saw THREE red cards - Rangers made sure Celtic weren't crowned champions at Ibrox.
Aluko returned to English football after his exit from Rangers.
He would enjoy a four-year spell with Hull City between 2012 and 2016, enjoying two years of Premier League football with the Tigers.
Aluko then moved on to Fulham and Reading before joining Ipswich in 2021.
But after three years with the Tractor Boys, he's now confirmed his retirement.
Speaking at the club's end of season awards event, Aluko said: "I couldn't think of a better place to end my career.
"From top to bottom the Club is amazing, and it has been a privilege to be here. I've not played as much as I would have liked, but this has still been the best year of my career.
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"All of the lads, I love every one of you, even you, Harry Clarke."
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