Swindon midfielder Christian Roberts has retired after being warned that he risked knee replacement surgery later in life.
Midfielder warned of severe health problems if he continues career
Swindon Town midfielder Christian Roberts admits that he chose to retire from football for his family after being warned that he risked knee replacement surgery later in life.
The 28-year-old joined the Robins in 2005 but has been sidelined since going under the knife this summer to repair his cartilage problem.
But Roberts says the risk of severe health problems in the future convinced him to call time on his career.
He told
skysports.com, "I found out the extent of the problem a couple of weeks ago when I saw my surgeon and I made the decision then.
Decision
"After my big operation in March I was told that there was a slight chance of playing again but that it wasn't great.
"The surgeon told me that had I continued playing I would have messed up my knee for life and there was a high possibility that I would need a knee replacement.
"As much as football has been my life and I wanted to push on and play I had to think about the responsibility to my family.
"I have two daughters and I have to think of providing a future for them.
Future
"It was a massive decision to make and it wasn't easy but it was necessary. Sometimes you have to take one step back to go two forward."
But after an 11-year career; which began at Cardiff in 1997 and continued via Hereford, Exeter and Bristol City; Roberts is now looking to the future.
"I want to stay in football and I am looking at sports management and perhaps some media work," he added.
"So if anything comes up in those areas I will definitely give it a try."
