Manchester United goalkeeper Paul Woolston has announced his retirement from football at the age of 23 due to long-term fitness issues.
After suffering injuries and undergoing two operations, the gifted teenager has battled to regain his fitness. After going through a long rehabilitation in recent years, he decided to call it a day on his brief career.
Woolston joined United in 2018 after impressing for Newcastle United’s Under-18s against his current club. Woolston joined Sunderland at the age of ten and left in 2015, becoming the Magpies’ third-choice keeper for the 2016/17 Championship-winning season.
While having a chat with the club’s official website, Woolston said: “To have to retire at just 23 has been really tough to come to terms with but I feel a lot more positive now. I am really proud of everything that I have achieved, many people dream of playing football at this level. Of course, I would have loved to have gone on further but it has been an absolute honor to represent Manchester United during my time here.”
“The support of my family, friends, teammates, coaches, the medical staff, and entire Manchester United Academy has been phenomenal. Everyone has played a major part in my journey by keeping my spirits up, allowing me to reflect positively on my playing experiences, and begin to look to the future.”
Never thought I would have to write this at 23 but this chapter has had to come to an end.
I can look back proudly on what I’ve achieved in my career but I am excited about what’s in store for the future.
A new chapter awaits 💥 pic.twitter.com/PbcVaepfMH
— Paul Woolston (@PAULHW_) March 23, 2022
Paul Woolston has a strong support system in place at the club. There have been a variety of informal and official education programs. Woolston has received help with his coaching badges and will be able to travel abroad with lower age groups to continue his learning.
Woolston was also greeted by United’s current senior goalkeepers when he arrived at Carrington on Thursday. David De Gea, Dean Henderson, Tom Heaton, and Lee Grant stood with a happy Woolston for a lovely photo.
It was a tough choice for the goalkeeper himself but with a career filled with injuries, it was a brave decision by the young lad to take up a new challenge in his life.
We wish Paul Woolston all the best for the exciting journey ahead.
