Wellington Phoenix veteran Louis Fenton has announced his immediate retirement at just 29 years old.
After over 150 matches for the A-League club throughout the last decade, ongoing injury issues and two "mentally draining" years away from home based in Australia led Fenton to rethink his future.
"It's been on my mind the last two years," Fenton said. "Being away from my family and my partner has made me think about life after football.
"Maybe 29 is young to be retiring but I feel like in my career I’ve been through a lot. A lot of injuries and a lot of ups and downs.
"I feel like I'm going out at a great time while my body's in decent condition."
Fenton began his tenure with the Phoenix in 2012, scoring a goal on debut. His breakout season earned him a spot on the NZ team at the U-20 World Cup.
But later that year, Fenton dislocated his shoulder for the first time in what would become a persistent injury cloud. That was compounded by a fracture in his foot the following season, before dislocating his other shoulder in his first season under coach Ufuk Talay.
The Wellingtonian will move to Brisbane to finish his degree in property development and do some work experience in the city, before returning home to the NZ capital, where he runs a barbershop with his brother.
"Getting to play professional football was my dream," he reflected. "I grew up supporting the club and the club's become such a big part of my life and part of the person I am now.
"Probably the highlights are playing in front of friends and family and the people I've met along the way. I've been lucky enough to make friends for life. I know that’s cliché but it's true.
"I'm thankful for the club giving me the opportunity to play professional football."
