FORMER Coventry City goalkeeper Cian Tyler has announced his shock retirement from professional football due to injury.
The Sky Blues released the 23-year-old shot-stopper at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
He joined City as a seven-year-old and rose through the ranks at the club to feature for Coventry’s various academy sides.
Tyler also appeared on the bench for the first team on nine occasions in the Championship, FA Cup and League Cup.
However, he has now confirmed his retirement from the sport due to a long-standing wrist injury.
Tyler posted on Instagram: “It still doesn’t feel right to be putting this into words and it’s a little surreal now that I actually have.
“I am retiring from professional football. I’ll also be stepping back from the game at every other level, for the foreseeable future.
“It’s far sooner than I ever could’ve imagined but the truth is, my wrist simply cannot stand up to the requirements of being a full time goalkeeper anymore.
“I’ve given myself every possible chance and fought hard along the way but I can’t keep torturing myself chasing a dream that’s no longer attainable.
“I’ll never get the chance to live the only life I ever wanted.
“I’ve been forced to retire under circumstances out of my control, which should’ve been handled differently in the first place.
“It’s overwhelmingly frustrating and incredibly hard to come to terms with. The past is where it always will be and these are the cards I’ve been dealt.
“I never once made an uninformed or reckless decision throughout any point of my rehab so I can take comfort in knowing I gave myself the best chance of coming back.
“I may have lost my only ever purpose and a huge part of my identity but ultimately, there’s far more important things in the world than football.
“My life isn’t going to end when I stop playing, it’ll start. Albeit, I’m back to square one but perspective tells me that’s still something to be excited about.
“It’s not the way I wanted things to end but at least I’ve finally got some clarity. In some ways, I’m glad it’s all over.
“I’m not sure when you’ll see me next but when you do, I hope I’ve got a smile on my face and I’m living pain free.”
