Former Liverpool defender Stephen Darby, 29, forced to retire with motor neurone disease

A 29-year-old former footballer who played in the Premier League and Champions League has retired after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Stephen Darby, a right-back who married England women's captain Steph Houghton in June, said it was 'with great sadness' that he was hanging up his boots.

Darby, who began his career at his hometown club Liverpool and later made more than 200 appearances for Bradford City, received the diagnosis from a specialist.  

The player, who made one Premier League appearance and three in the Champions League, joined Bolton in summer 2017 but has not played since December.

He said in a statement: 'I would like to take the opportunity to thank my teammates, Phil Parkinson and all the staff at Bolton Wanderers Football Club for their amazing support at what has been an extremely difficult period for myself and my family.

'I would like to ask for privacy at this time so I can adjust to the battle I have ahead and so that I can spend time with those closest to me.'  

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a condition that affects the brain and nerves, causing weakness that gets worse over time.

MailOnline