Robin van Persie joins BT Sport pundits team

Former Arsenal and Manchester United forward Robin van Persie has been recruited by BT Sport as their newest pundit for the upcoming 2019/20 season. 

The veteran striker, who last played for Eredivisie giants Feyenoord, called off his illustrious career in May as he looks forward to being a pundit on Premier League and Champions League football for next season. 

Robin van Persie has often been labelled as one of the best strikers of his generation, as he lead Manchester United to their 20th English top-flight trophy in 2013 in what was Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in-charge at Old Trafford. He also won his second Premier League Golden Boot award with 26 goals that season, beating former Liverpool front-man Luis Suarez and then-Spurs winger Gareth Bale. 

The 35-year old netted 58 times in 105 games for the Reds, before joining his boyhood club Feyenoord. Prior to his spell at United, Robin van Persie excelled at Arsenal, where he spent eight years. He scored 132 goals for the Gunners becoming the club’s 8th all-time top scorer but only lifted a solitary FA Cup in his time at the Emirates Stadium. 

The Dutchman spoke about his future after he retired at the end of last season. “I won’t take on big commitments in the next year,” he said. “Although I’m very thankful for the life I have now, and that I had, if you’re on that football train it’s like you have to report at nine o’clock, you have to go on pre-season, you have to be there, you have to perform.”

“Now I don’t have to do anything, for the moment. I can be the coach of my own life, fill it how I want to. But I want to bring some structure and still be busy with sports – tennis, swimming, be active. But mainly just enjoy that little bit of freedom I have now, which I never had,” he added. 

Van Persie has also been quintessential for the national side, with whom he reached the World Cup final and secured third place in the 2010 and 2014 editions respectively. 

BT Sport have now acquired the services of the legendary forward, who will now be seen on the sports channel debating and discussing the biggest football action. Robin van Persie will join the likes of Manchester United legend and former teammate Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen in what is a star-studded punditry line-up.