For many people, becoming a professional footballer is their dream. Although many have pursued that fantasy, only a select few will ever make it to the top — be it the Premier League or another top European division.
Alfie Whiteman was, to many, one of the lucky ones. The north London-born goalkeeper joined Tottenham Hotspur's academy at just 10 years old, going on to represent the club's youth teams. And when he signed a three-year senior contract in 2019, he might have assumed that it would be the first step in a long and prosperous football career.
But earlier this year, the goalkeeper decided to quit the sport at just 26-years-old following the expiry of his contract at Spurs to pursue a career in photography and film.
Although many footballers have gone on to pursue unusual jobs after their careers, it seemed strange to quit when in your peak years as a player. But while others might have been shocked, it was a decision that had been years in the making for Whiteman.
The signs were certainly promising for the goalkeeper when he was a youngster. At the time, he was featuring for both Spurs and England's youth teams, picking up appearances for both the under-17 and under-19 international sides.
But while he was living out most people's dream, Whiteman wasn't fulfilled by his pursuits. Speaking to The Athletic, he said: "I left school at 16 and went straight into this full-time life of football.
"When I was around 17 or 18, living in digs, I just had this feeling inside of, ‘Is this it?’ Getting on the mini bus, going to training, doing the Sports Science BTEC and going home to play video games. I realised, ‘Oh, I’m not happy here’ from quite a young age."
It was at that time when Whiteman began exploring his other passions. He took acting classes when he wasn't training and also hosted his monthly radio show, 'Sweet Tooth'. But it was photography that really hooked him in.
His ex-girlfriend's best friend was a director. They allowed him to connect with other leaders in the creative industry, including directors and photographers, while the Tottenham star also assisted as a runner on sets, in an attempt to set himself up for life after football.
"It just started opening my eyes to what life has to offer."
Quitting the Game
Whiteman's football career was still progressing, though. He made his professional debut in 2020, coming on as a substitute against Ludogrets Razgrad in the Europa League, and then went on to earn regular minutes on loan at Swedish side Degerfors for two years.
It even seemed like a future at Spurs was not out of the question, as he put pen to paper on a two-year extension in February 2023. But, after he suffered an ankle injury in Singapore and spent most of the 2023/24 season rehabbing, he started to think about his long-term future.
"During that rehab, I worked so hard every day to try to get back," he said. "I eventually did, but even then, it was just to be sat in the stands. It was so hard applying myself and really trying and then just not getting the games.
"Tottenham have an incredible training ground with incredible facilities, and I was working with the best players. But it wasn’t fulfilling. I want to be in a high-pressure game, or feel progress. When you’re not playing, it’s very difficult to do. It’s even worse, it’s more like you’re regressing."
Check Out Alfie Whiteman's Career Path Below
The club then refused to sanction a loan move in 2024/25, as they needed Whiteman as a club-trained player for their Europa League campaign. Although he collected a winners' medal, after Tottenham beat Manchester United in the final, he left the club after his contract expired.
Continuing in football was an option — the then 26-year-old went on trial at two clubs over the summer. But the goalkeeper decided to follow a new path, considering that he would no longer be playing at the top level.
"There was a weekend when I went home, and I started contemplating all my options. I had other things I’ve been building on the side and it was more exciting to me. To put it plainly, I saw happiness in these other avenues.
"It got to this point where I’d rather end this on my terms than go to a club that I just didn’t want to go to. When I was younger, I always said I didn’t want to play in the lower leagues; it was always about the highest level. Otherwise, I’d rather do something else."
Whiteman Thriving as a Photographer
Now pursuing photography and film full-time, it's safe to say his career's gone pretty well so far since retiring. He was on set with photographer Harley Weir and rapper Central Cee for a shoot with Nike and has shot for brands On and Paloma Wool. He's also got a solo exhibition coming up, which he pieced together while on loan at Degerfors, and helped shoot a feature documentary in Norway and Ukraine.
Signed to production company Somesuch and helping out with their photography, Whiteman's got big aspirations for the future: "I’ve got project ideas for photo stuff and short film ideas. The plan is to do some short films, and then hopefully one day a feature-length. But there are no real strict steps. You can decide.
"I just want to be on set and work with some of the most talented cinematographers, directors of photography, producers and meet new people. There’s just so much to learn."