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.

“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.”

SOURCE: thesun.co.uk