Ex-Wales midfielder Morrell retires aged 28

Joe Morrell made almost 200 appearances across all three EFL divisions

Former Wales midfielder Joe Morrell has been forced to retire from professional football at the age of 28 because of injury.

Morrell had been a free agent since being released by Portsmouth at the end of the 2023-24 season.

He has not played since sustaining knee cartilage damage in January 2024.

Morrell was capped 37 times by Wales and played at Euro 2020 and the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

"This is not something that I ever thought that I would be writing at the age of 28 but today I've officially retired from professional football," said Morrell in a statement on social media.

"After almost two years of rehab, trying to get my body back in to a place to train, play and compete in the professional game, I've had to admit the fact that I am no longer capable of this.

"It's been an incredibly tough 21 months, full of promise, hope, tears and dark moments, but I'm at peace with the fact that I'll never again be able to play."

Morrell, who began his career at Bristol City and also played for Luton Town before spending three years with Portsmouth, went on: "I can't thank my close friends, family and most importantly my amazing wife enough, for the support that they've given me during this time.

"I firmly believe that I will come out of this period a more resilient, well rounded person with a greater sense of perspective on what's important in life."

Born in Ipswich, Morrell - who in 2022 became a co-owner of Merthyr Town - made his Wales debut in 2019.

His last appearance for his country was as a substitute in the goalless friendly draw with South Korea at Cardiff City Stadium in September 2023.

"Football is what I do and not who I am," added Morrell, who recently received his Uefa A coaching licence through the Football Association of Wales' coach education system.

"I am truly one of the lucky ones, and I'm so thankful for the career that I've had.

"Being able to live out not just my dream, but the dream of millions of boys and girls around the world was never something that I took for granted, and I hope that it always came across that way."