Aston Villa starlet, 22, releases heartbreaking statement after being forced to retire
Injuries have forced former Aston Villa starlet Myles Sohna to retire after he was unable to fully recover from a third knee operation that has ended his career
by Scott Trotter · The MirrorFormer Aston Villa youngster Myles Sohna has retired from professional football.
Still just 22, the defender has been forced to hang up his boots due to injuries. Sohna was released by the Villans at the end of the 2022/23 season and has been unable to kickstart his career elsewhere after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in each knee in back-to-back seasons.
While Sohna returned to fitness from those issues, a third knee injury saw him go under the knife for a third time. That has ultimately proved career-ending as he still suffers from pain and swelling when performing intense activity.
Sohna rose through Villa's ranks at Bodymoor Heath and earned a professional contract before representing the club’s under-21 side. Injuries stopped the youngster's career in it's tracks however.
Posting on Instagram Sohna said: "It is with mixed emotions that due to injury, I have decided to retire from professional football. This has truly been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but after months of carful consideration and consulting with a specialist, it has become clear that this is the best decision for my long-term health.
"The past 3 seasons have been the hardest in my career, both mentally and physically. After rupturing my anterior cruciate ligaments in both knees in back to back seasons and working incredibly hard to get back from them both. Unfortunately over a year ago I sustained a separate serious knee injury, which required a third operation.
"Going into the operation, I knew there was a chance the injury could potentially be career ending but I never imagined this would become my reality. Despite doing everything in my power to get back fit, I still experience significant pain and swelling every time I perform any high impact activity.
"As a result of this, I have been advised that continuing my career would severely affect not only my ability to play but most importantly, my quality of life in the future and given this, my health must come first.
"I want to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout my footballing career and also my past teammates and staff at Aston Villa FC for making my 12 years there so special. I made memories there that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
"I trust that this is Allahs plan for me and I believe that he is the best of all planners. I now look forwards to beginning this new chapter in my life."
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