Former Preston keeper Wayne Henderson has announced his retirement from the game with immediate effect.
Keeper taking time out to rest back injury
Former Preston North End goalkeeper Wayne Henderson has announced his retirement from the game with immediate effect.
The ex-Republic of Ireland international left Preston last week after a series of injuries restricted him to just 10 appearances since joining the Championship strugglers in 2007.
The 27-year-old has confirmed he is now taking time out from football to allow his body to make a full recovery from the back injury which has plagued his career in recent years.
"I've basically retired, believe it or not," Henderson told
skysports.com.
Exciting
"Preston said that I had been released, but I've decided to actually step out of football and give my body time to heal for once.
"It is exciting for me though because I'm looking to go into a completely different environment from playing, but stay within football at the same time.
"I've been trying to get back fit for a few years now with injections and operations, but I've decided that rest is the way forward for it now.
"I've not signed anything yet, but there are a good few options for me to choose from, which I am really excited about."
The ex-Brighton keeper was once regarded as one of the most promising shot-stoppers outside the Premier League and he hopes that his career as a professional footballer will resume once his injury woes are behind him.
He added: "I'm still only 27, so there is that option to get back into the playing side of the game once I'm fully recovered.
"I'd love to get back playing in a couple of years because that is what I've been desperately trying to do for a while now.
"The injuries have stopped me from doing that and maybe I should have chosen to do what I'm doing now sooner, but I'm going to crack on with it now and see where it takes me."
