Ex-Chelsea player Izzy Brown retires from football after injury issues

Izzy Brown, named as a dead-cert to play for England by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea nine years ago, retires from football aged just 26 after two achilles tendon surgeries

• Brown was 17 when Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho tipped him for stardom
• He played just once for the Blues and was sent out on loan seven times
• Having moved to Preston in 2021, Brown suffered the career-ending injury 

Izzy Brown – once tipped for England stardom by Jose Mourinho – has been forced to retire from professional football aged just 26.

The attacking midfielder spent eight years on the books of Chelsea though made only one first-team appearance amid seven loan spells.

In 2014, then Chelsea manager Mourinho tipped 17-year-old Brown, alongside Dominic Solanke and Lewis Baker, as future England internationals and told the media to ‘blame him’ if they didn’t make it.

Brown did represent England up to Under 20 level and was part of the Under 17 side that won the European Championship in 2014.

He left Chelsea for Championship club Preston North End in June 2021 but suffered a ruptured achilles during pre-season training and never played for them.

Former Chelsea player Isaiah Brown has been forced to retire from the game through injury

Brown suffered the career-ending achilles tendon injury training with Preston in 2021

On Thursday, in a heartbreaking social media message, Brown said his injury, which has required two operations, has ended his playing days.

He wrote: ‘Dear football, 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 lived a dream that most don’t get the opportunity to live and for that I will always be eternally grateful.

‘To get to play the sport I love brought many happy times during my life. It also delivered many challenges that I wouldn’t have been able to get through without the love and support of my family and friends.

‘The sacrifices my mum and grandad made for me from the age of 4 years old, gave me the chance to live a life I always inspired [sic] to live.

‘Driving from Peterborough to West Brom 3/4 times a week after school, just to get me to training and matches, I’ll forever be grateful.

Brown (middle) with Charly Musonda (left) and Tammy Abraham after Chelsea beat Shakhtar Donetsk to win the UEFA Youth League in 2015

The attacking midfielder was sent out on seven loan spells from Chelsea, including to Brighton

‘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.

‘I will always remember the memories I have made. They will live with me forever.

Brown pictured during a loan spell with Championship club Luton Town

‘From being told I was going to be on then 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. Little boy!

‘And I’ll never forget getting promoted to the Premier League with Huddersfield at Wembley. That will forever be one of then happiest and greatest moments of my life.

‘Football doesn’t define me as a person. I’m a father, a son, a brother and a friend, and I will still be that after football.

‘I’ve lived my dream and memories that will stay with me forever. To every club I have played for, I really appreciate you all for believing in me and giving me the chance to play the game I love.

‘Lastly, I just want to say that you to all the fans that have supported me and sang my name, 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!’

Hailing from Peterborough, Brown started out in West Brom’s academy and made his senior debut in their 3-2 home win over Wigan Athletic in the Premier League in May 2013, becoming the second-youngest player in the competition’s history at 16 years and 117 days.

Brown was part of a successful Chelsea youth side which won the UEFA Youth League

He was also part of a Chelsea under-18 team that twice won the FA Youth Cup, pictured here with Dominic Solanke (second left), Kasey Palmer (second right) and Jeremie Boga (right)

His talent was recognised by Chelsea, who signed him later that year. Brown helped the Blues’ youth sides win the FA Youth Cup in 2014 and 2015, as well as the 2015 UEFA Youth League.

Brown made his first-team debut against former club West Brom in May 2015.

Loan spells followed with Chelsea’s Dutch partner club Vitesse, then Rotherham United, Huddersfield Town, Brighton, Leeds, Luton and Sheffield Wednesday.

He featured in Huddersfield’s Championship play-off final victory over Reading at Wembley in 2017.

His 2021 move to Preston on a one-year contract was followed by an immediate injury setback from which Brown hasn’t recovered.

Source: Read Full Article