Coventry City defender Samuel Ricketts has been forced to announce his retirement from professional football.
The former Wales international has had on-going knee problems and issued the following statement:
"Today, I am announcing my decision to retire from the game after having received medical advice that I should stop playing with immediate effect due to injury.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me to fulfil every boy's dream of becoming a professional footballer. I am grateful to all of the managers, coaches and teammates that I have had the honour of working with and learning from throughout my career. I would also like to express my gratitude to the brilliant supporters of the clubs I have played at for always offering me their wholehearted support. Last but not least, I wish to thank my family for being my inspiration and for having always been there for me.
I have been hugely fortunate to ply my trade in every division from the Conference to the Premier League and am immensely proud of having being capped by Wales on 52 occasions. It has been a fantastic journey and one which has provided me with so many unbelievable experiences and memories.
As my playing career comes to an end, I am now looking forward to embarking on a new chapter. A few years ago, I started working towards my coaching badges and am currently in the process of completing my UEFA A Licence with the Welsh FA.
I am excited about the challenges that lie ahead and now hope to be able to give something back to a game which has given me so much.
Many thanks,
Samuel Ricketts
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