Join RUCK\u2019s Instagram broadcast channel <\/a>and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n\u201cThat\u2019s a healthy age to retire\u201d<\/p>\n
Itoje plans to retire at 35, meaning the end of his glittering career is now potentially just a few years away.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I\u2019m 35. That\u2019s a healthy age to retire,\u201d he told The Times.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a good age to throw yourself at a new challenge and it gives me a good four years to really dip into the rugby.\u201d<\/p>\n
The England captain has previously spoken about wanting to start a new challenge while still young enough to fully commit to something away from the sport.<\/p>\n
And it appears that challenge is already taking shape.<\/p>\n
Brand new career<\/p>\n
Away from rugby, Itoje has built an increasingly serious presence in the art world.<\/p>\n
In 2023, he launched Akoje Gallery, a roaming gallery created to provide greater exposure for underrepresented African artists.<\/p>\n
A year later, he founded the Akoje Residency in partnership with the King\u2019s Foundation at Dumfries House, with ambitions to build one of the world\u2019s largest art residency programmes.<\/p>\n
Itoje is also a member of the Frieze91 Committee, an ambassador for the Young V&A and has previously curated for Sotheby\u2019s.<\/p>\n
His passion for art is no longer simply a hobby alongside rugby.<\/p>\n
\u201cRugby is currently winning and on top, but not for ever,\u201d Itoje has previously said.<\/p>\n
\u201cArt might overtake. For me, pursuing art keeps me and my mind refreshed and buoyant.\u201d<\/p>\n
He has also made his long-term plans clear, saying: \u201cSo I\u2019m building my life for after rugby. And art and my gallery are central to that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Life after rugby<\/p>\n
Itoje\u2019s interests stretch far beyond the pitch.<\/p>\n
The forward studied politics at university and has also completed an MBA, while his work away from rugby includes the Pearl Fund, which supports educational opportunities for children.<\/p>\n
He has previously spoken about a possible future in business, while his long-standing interest in politics and public life means another career change further down the line cannot be ruled out.<\/p>\n
However, his most immediate post-rugby path appears increasingly clear.<\/p>\n
With Itoje already running a gallery and expanding his work in the art world, the England captain looks set to swap the rugby pitch for a very different arena when he finally calls time on his career.<\/p>\n
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