Ex-Chelsea star retires aged just 26 after horror injury run as he says ‘football doesn’t define me as a person’
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IZZY JAY BROWN has announced his retirement from football aged 26.
The midfielder was blighted by injury throughout his career and spent large chunks of it in the treatment room.
Brown was most recently with Championship side Preston North End - although he didn't make a single appearance for the club after rupturing his Achilles before the 2021-22 season.
He was released by PNE in May 2022 but has been unable to overcome his injury woes, which has led to him hanging up his boots.
In a heartfelt statement, Brown said: "I really don't know where to start, although I always thought I'd have to write this one day, I just didn't think this day would come so soon.
"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that after a long year of struggling from two Achilles tendon surgeries, I now have to retire from professional football.
"As soon as I could walk, I always had a football at my feet.
"That was me, that was my happy place. I live a dream that most don't get the opportunity to live and I will always be eternally grateful.
"To get to play the sport I love brought many happy times during my life.
"It also delivered many challenges that I wouldn't have been able to get through without the love and support of my family and friends.
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"The sacrifices my mum and grandad made for me from the age of 4 years old, gave me the chance to live a life I always inspired to live.
"Driving from Peterborough to West Brom 3/4 times a week after school, just to get me to training and matches, I'll forever be grateful.
"I think my Mum only missed one match in my whole life. That just goes to show how much you can really achieve with the love and support from the people closest to you."
MOVE TO CHELSEA
Brown began his career in Leicester City's academy before joining West Brom - who he made one solitary appearance for in the 2012-13 Premier League season.
A move to Chelsea followed a few months later but he only made a single competitive appearance for the Blues in his two seasons before being shipped off to Vitesse Arnhem on loan.
Loan spells at Rotherham, Huddersfield Town, Brighton, Leeds United, Luton Town and Sheffield Wednesday followed for Brown before he joined Preston in the summer of 2021.
Despite spending most of his career on the treatment table, Brown will look back fondly on his career in years to come.
He continued: "I will always remember the memories I have made. They will live with me forever.
"From being told I was going to be on the bench against Chelsea, to making my debut against Wigan at the age of 16 for West Brom.
“Then getting to make my debut for Chelsea, the club I dreamed of playing for when I was a little boy.
"And I’ll never forget getting promoted to the Premier League with Huddersfield at Wembley.
"That will forever be one of the happiest and greatest moments of my life."
Brown insists he hasn't lost his identity now that he no longer plays the Beautiful Game for a living.
He said: "Football doesn’t define me as a person. I’m a father, a son, a brother and a friend, and I’ll still be that after football.
"I've lived my dream and memories that will stay with me forever.
"To every club that I played for, I really appreciate you all for believing in me and giving me a chance to play the game I love.
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"Lastly, I just want to say thank you to all the fans that have supported me and sang my name, there is no greater feeling than hearing that.
"You mean the world to me, and always will. I wish you all nothing but happiness and love!”
