Former Preston North End and Arsenal talent Jeffrey Monakana has announced his retirement at the age of just 30.
We always feel pretty old when talking about former PNE youngsters retiring.
We remember those prospects emerging into the first team and seeing them hang up their boots is a real reminder of how quickly time can pass.
The latest retirement takes us all the way back to 2012 and the influx of signings during Graham Westley’s first – and only – summer transfer window.
Jeffrey Monakana calls it a day
That summer was truly bonkers to experience as a PNE fan.
There were rumours every few hours and, for large parts of the summer, signings every few days.
18 first-team additions arrived and, remarkably, one even left before kicking ball as Richard Wright moved further south to Manchester City.
Westley mostly filled his squad with proven League One players but there was one major departure from that approach – Jeffrey Monakana.
Let go by Arsenal at 18, Monakana had impressed on trial at Deepdale and did enough to land a 12-month deal.
Monakana was raw but exciting, full of pace, a trick or two and a genuine desire to run at defenders.
Fans will remember a blockbuster strike in the 4-1 cup demolition of Crystal Palace as he finished his first season at the club with six goals in all competitions.
Monakana faded out of the plans under Simon Grayson and, after a loan move to Colchester United, he joined Brighton and Hove Albion permanently in January 2014.
Loans to Crawley Town, Aberdeen, Mansfield Town, Carlisle United and Bristol Rovers followed without much success before Monakana headed to Romania with FC Voluntari.
When that move didn’t work out, the speedy wide man spent time in the non-league game with Sutton United, Margate, Welling United, Wealdstone and Dulwich Hamlet.
Most recently in Iceland with Fjolnir and Magni Grenivik, the 30-year-old has now called time on his career.
Monakana posted an emotional message on social media, highlighting that injuries mean he will never be able to run as he once did,.
The winger paid special tribute to both Westley and Peter Ridsdale, thanking them both for the move to PNE and the chance to be a professional footballer.
PNE fans will always have time for Monakana after his time at Deepdale and we are sure the entire fanbase will be wishing him well with whatever comes next.