Former Wanderers defender Jon Flanagan has announced his retirement from football due to injury.

The defender spent time on loan at the UniBol from boyhood club Liverpool during the second half of the 2017/18 campaign.

Flanagan made more than 50 appearances for the Reds and went on to have spells at Burnley, Rangers and Charleroi among others.

The 29-year-old also represented England at senior level and has been without a club since leaving Danish outfit HB Koge over the summer.

Flanagan says he has “tried everything possible” to continue playing but ultimately had to make the decision “following medical advice”.

He wrote in his Twitter page: “Unfortunately after careful consideration I have made the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make: to retire from professional football.

“The last 14 months I have tried everything possible to recover from my most recent knee surgery. However, ultimately my long-term health has to come first, so following medical advice, the right thing for me to do now is to retire from the game.

“My dream as a boy was to grow up and play football for a living and today I am proud to say I lived that dream.

“Not only playing and captaining my boyhood club Liverpool but also making an appearance for my country, those memories created will last a lifetime and I’m so grateful that I have had the experience that most others can only wish for.”

He added: “A massive thank you to the fans of Liverpool, Glasgow Rangers, Burnley, Bolton, Charleroi and HB Koge, who have supported me throughout. You have been great and made my journey an unforgettable one!

“I will now begin the next chapter of my football journey and I’m excited about what the future brings.”

Social, subscriptions and getting in touch...

You can follow the Bolton News on social media by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Gain unlimited access to the Bolton News website with a premium digital subscription

Or if you want the Bolton News newspaper delivered to your door, get in touch with our home delivery team or call us on 0800 953 0227

Finally, have you got a story for us? If so, contact us at newsdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk or by using our online contribution form