Former Chelsea youth player Izzy Brown has announced his premature retirement from professional football at the age of just 26 as a result of injury.

Brown was a Chelsea player until 2021, when he left the club for Preston North End but he never played a single game for the Lancashire side after suffering the ruptured Achilles in pre-season that ultimately ended his career.

Brown was released by Preston in May 2022.

“I just didn’t think this day would come so soon,” Brown said in a statement posted on social media.

“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that after a long year of struggling from two Achilles tendon surgeries, I now have to retire from professional football.

“I will always remember the memories I have made. They will live with me forever. From being told I was going to be on the bench against Chelsea, to making my debut against Wigan at the age of 16 for West Brom. Then getting to make my debut for Chelsea, the club I dreamed of playing for when I was a little boy.

“And I’ll never forget getting promoted to the Premier League with Huddersfield at Wembley. That will forever be one of the happiest and greatest moments of my life.”