Izzy Jay Brown, the former Chelsea midfielder, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 26. Brown’s career was plagued by injuries, and he spent much of it in the treatment room. He most recently played for Championship side Preston North End, but he didn’t make a single appearance for the club after rupturing his Achilles before the 2021-22 season. Brown 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.”
Brown began his career in Leicester City’s academy before joining West Brom, where he made one solitary appearance 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.”
Brown’s mother and grandad made many sacrifices for him from the age of four years old, giving him the chance to live a life he always inspired to live. Driving from Peterborough to West Brom 3/4 times a week after school just to get him to training and matches, Brown will forever be grateful. He added: “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.”
Lastly, Brown thanked all the fans who supported him and sang his name, saying 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!” he said.