Former Liverpool Player Stephen Darby Retires Due To Motor Neuron Disease
Terrible news that announced the footballer: “I would like to ask for privacy at this time.”
EFE: Former Liverpool player Stephen Darby on Tuesday announced his retirement from professional football after being diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND). Darby, 29, currently enrolled in the Bolton Wanderers, played six games for Liverpool, making his debut in the Champions League in 2008. After passing through the Anfield club, Darby chained several assignments until he settled in the Bradford City, with whom he played 239 games.
In the summer of 2017, he signed with Bolton, the Championship team. “I would like to request intimacy at this time so that I can make up the idea of the battle that lies ahead of me and be able to spend time with my loved ones,” Darby said in a statement.
Liverpool has joined the messages of encouragement to the player and has issued a message through their social networks, which admit being “very affected” by the news of Darby’s retirement, in addition to adding that “the thoughts of all the people in the club are with Darby and his family right now.”
MND is a rare disease that usually affects people over 60, although it can affect adults of any age.
As explained by the British health service on its website, it is a disease caused by a problem with the cells and in the brain and nerves called motor neurons. These cells stop working over time due to an unknown cause. The defender has announced that he has been forced to call time on his career at the age of 29 after being diagnosed with the illness.
Bolton Wanderers defender Stephen Darby has been forced to retire aged 29 after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. The former Liverpool youth academy product joined Bolton from Bradford City ahead of 2017-18, making three Championship appearances last season.
Darby, who married Manchester City and England defender Steph Houghton in June, announced the news of his retirement on Tuesday, after being diagnosed with the illness by a specialist. “It is with great sadness that I announce my immediate retirement from professional football due to a recent diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease,” Darby said via Bolton’s official website.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank my team-mates, [manager] Phil Parkinson and all the staff at Bolton Wanderers Football Club for their amazing support at what has been an extremely difficult period for myself and my family. “I would like to ask for privacy at this time so I can adjust to the battle I have ahead and so that I can spend time with those closest to me.”
Parkinson, who worked with Darby at Bradford, added: “This is heartbreaking news for Stephen and his family and the thoughts of everybody at Bolton Wanderers Football Club are very much with him and Steph.” “He is an outstanding professional and a fantastic person. He was simply magnificent during his time at Bradford and was a key figure in the resurgence of Bradford City as a football club.”
“All the staff and players at Bolton Wanderers Football Club think the world of him and are determined to give him every possible bit of support.”
