Izzy Brown, a former Chelsea midfielder, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 26. Brown made his debut for Chelsea in May 2015 and was considered a rising star at the club. However, a series of injuries have forced him to retire from the game. Brown most recently played for Preston North End, but suffered a ruptured Achilles in pre-season just under a month after he signed in 2021. He was released towards the end of the season, and has now hung up his boots with an emotional farewell on social media.
In his tweet, Brown expressed his sadness and said that he had struggled for a year from two Achilles tendon surgeries. He added that he had always had a football at his feet since he could walk and that it was his happy place. Brown also said that he had lived a dream that most people don’t get the opportunity to live and that he would always be grateful for that. He thanked his family and friends for their love and support throughout his career.
Brown also expressed his gratitude to every club he had played for and thanked the fans who had supported him. Chelsea replied to his post, wishing him all the best for the future.
Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had high hopes for Brown’s England prospects, saying in 2014 that if Brown, along with Lewis Baker and Dominic Solanke, were not national team players in a few years, he should blame himself. Brown signed for Chelsea from West Brom in 2013, but made just one appearance for the Blues during his eight years at the club. Most of his time at the west London giants was spent out on loan, featuring for Dutch outfit Vitesse, while representing Rotherham, Huddersfield, Brighton, Leeds, Luton and Sheffield Wednesday in England.
Brown played in a total of 133 games during his career – chipping in with ten goals and assisting another 16 across all competitions.