Football I'm so thankful for the career I've had, says Morrell

JOE Morrell, the former Bristol City midfielder, has announced his retirement from football at just 28 years old, admitting he’s “no longer capable of” returning to the professional game after almost two years out through injury.

- Dan CARTER

Joe Morrell in action for Wales two years ago

(Picture: Ashley Crowde)

Morrell, who won 37 caps for Wales in his career and featured at both the 2020 Euros and 2022 World Cup, came through the Robins’ youth ranks. In total, he played six times for City's first team across the Championship, EFL Trophy, FA Cup and League Cup.

After putting pen to paper on a new three-year deal at Ashton Gate, with the option of a further season, while on loan at Lincoln City in November 2019, the midfielder left BS3 in the summer of 2020, joining Luton Town on a permanent basis.

A year after his move to Kenilworth Road, Morrell made the switch to Portsmouth having found first-team football difficult to come by with the Hatters. The Wales international was a regular starter in his first two seasons at Fratton Park - when fit - and started all but three of Pompey’s first 30 League One games in the 2023-24 season, before sustaining a knee injury against Oxford United in January 2024.