West Brom defender Bartley retires through injury

Bartley started his career with Arsenal

West Brom defender Kyle Bartley has been forced to retire on the eve of the Championship season because of a knee injury.

The 34-year-old was under contract at the Hawthorns for another year but has called time on his career.

"Unfortunately, a knee injury I picked up during last season has led me to make the difficult decision to hang up my boots, despite my best efforts to rehabilitate from it," Bartley said.

"I consider myself incredibly lucky to have played the game I love, and it is the highs and lows of football that have helped make me the man I am today."

Bartley joined the Baggies in 2018 and made 232 appearances for the club - including a season in the Premier League in 2020-21.

He captained the club when fit last season.

Sporting Director Andrew Nestor said: "Kyle helped lead the team both on and off the pitch – often by putting his body on the line in the heart of our defence.

"Making more than 200 appearances for one club is rare nowadays and we are grateful to Barts for his seven years' service to Albion."

'A huge part of the dressing room' - Analysis

Steve Hermon, BBC Radio WM's West Bromwich Albion reporter

"The knee injury was something Kyle had been struggling with last season and he powered through the pain.

"Last season he wore the captain's armband for the majority of the season. He was divisive with supporters and was criticised a few seasons ago but bounced back and was brilliant during their play-off campaign in 2023-24.

"He was a huge part of the dressing room, was part of the pre-season tour to Austria but has now called time on his career."