Leeds United player Stuart Dallas has revealed he will officially retire from professional football at the end of the season.
The Northern Irish footballer has been on the sidelines ever since suffering a severe knee injury against Manchester City in the Premier League back in April 2022 and has now accepted he is no longer able to return to the pitch.
With Leeds confirming the news on Wednesday, 10 April, they bid farewell to a “legend for club and country”.
A bitter way to call time on his playing days, to say the least.
Sharing a lengthy statement online following the announcement, the Peacocks recounted Dallas’ long list of achievements in his career, including winning both the Irish League Cup and Setanta Sports Cup with Crusaders FC.
Dallas also helped Brentford secure promotion from League One back in 2014 before going on to make 266 appearances for the Whites and help secure their return to the Premier League with a goal on the final day of the 19/20 season.
With 28 goals for Leeds and three goals in 62 caps for his nation, who he also helped lead to their Euros debut and first major championship in 30 years, the club credited “his versatility on either side as a winger, at left-back, right-back and centre midfield”, insisting that he “always played with 100% effort wherever asked”.
The 32-year-old had also played in every league game since Leeds’ return to the top flight up until his femoral fracture which required multiple surgeries medical and rehabilitation. Sharing an emotional goodbye of his own, he thanked all the club staff and his family for their support during a difficult couple of years.
Read more:
- Inside the abandoned Leeds United pub on Elland Road
- Leeds named as one of the friendliest places to live in the UK
- Leeds has been chosen for a huge fan park by 4TheFans for the Euro 2024
United signed off by reiterating: “Dallas will go down as a legend for both club and country for his achievements in the game, whilst away from the pitch he has also shown his commitment to our local community, representing the club at numerous events and engaging regularly with supporters.”
Expressing their sadness at the unfortunate circumstances that have led to his decision, plans have been made to honour his time at Elland Road during half-time in the game against Blackburn Rovers this weekend.
They also detailed “discussions with Stuart about a future role, to continue his association with the club going forwards.
As for the man himself, ‘Stu’ signed off his tear-jerking statement by adding: “As sad as it is that my career as a player is over, I can look back with so many happy memories, representing the country that I love and a team that has made such an impact on my life. Leeds is a place I will call home forever”.
Featured Images — Wikimedia Commons/Stuart Dallas (via Instagram)
