Boertien calls time on career

Burton Albion defender Paul Boertien has retired from professional football due to injury problems.

Boertien brings to an end a 14-year career in which he made 268 appearances for seven Football League clubs. The left-back began his career at Carlisle in 1996 and, although he only played 21 senior games for the Cumbrians, was considered a leading member of the club's golden generation in the late 90s alongside Rory Delap and Matt Jansen. The left-back is perhaps best remembered for his time at Derby, where he spent eight years. He moved to Pride Park in a £250,000 deal in March 1999 and became a fans favourite with Rams supporters during his 126 appearances, including 43 in the Premier League, for the club. After short loans spells at Crewe, Notts County and Chesterfield, Boertien left Derby following their promotion back to the top flight in 2007. He was quickly snapped up by then-Championship side Walsall, where he remained for two seasons, tallying up 56 games. On July 1 2009 he became Paul Peschisolido's first signing as Burton manager. He featured 54 times for Albion and scored his only goal for the club - and just the fourth of his career - against Bradford at Valley Parade in September of that year. "Paul has been an absolutely fantastic professional and he is a fantastic person as well," Peschisolido said. "He has given great service to Burton since he joined. He has had a superb career and it is a shame that injury has limited his availability to us."