Former Lincoln City midfielder, Joe Morrell, has confirmed his retirement from professional football at only 28 due to ongoing injury issues. Morrell was previously with Lincoln City prior to joining several other clubs. He became a free agent post his departure from Portsmouth at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. He was forced to put an abrupt end to his career following a knee cartilage injury he obtained in January 2023, which subsequently impeded his return.
Morrell, having earned 37 caps for Wales and participated in both the Euro 2020 and the 2022 Qatar World Cup on behalf of his country, shared a sincere statement through social media expressing his disappointment at the early end to his career. He said, “This is not something that I ever thought I would be writing at the age of 28, but today, I have officially retired from professional football.”
He reflected on the past 21 months filled with ceaseless rehabilitation efforts and emotional challenges. Nevertheless, despite these trying circumstances, Morrell acknowledges his inability to compete at a professional standard any longer.
His tenure at Lincoln City, although brief, was noteworthy due to his diligence and significant contributions to the club’s successes. While his career cut short might be seen as a lost potential, his contributions to football, particularly at Lincoln City, will be remembered.
This article was adapted from original reporting by www.bbc.com, as initially featured in The Lincoln Post.
