Ex-Liverpool talent dubbed 'next Cafu' retires aged 29 after injury nightmare

Former Liverpool and England defender Jon Flanagan has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 29 after failing to recover from his latest knee surgery

17:47, 18 Oct 2022

Jon Flanagan has retired from football at the age of 29

A former Liverpool starlet once compared to Cafu has retired at the age of 29 after a series of injury nightmares disrupted his career.

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Jon Flanagan had been a highly rated prospect during his time in the Reds' academy, before being handed his senior debut for the club at the age of 18 by Kenny Dalglish. However, a serious knee injury suffered just a month after his England debut in 2014 resulted in years of setbacks for the once promising full-back.

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Those woes have resulted in Flanagan announcing his retirement on Wednesday, describing it as the “toughest decision I’ve ever had to make”.

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In a statement posted to social media, he explained: “The last 14 months I have tried everything possible to recover from my most recent knee surgery.

"However, ultimately my long term health has to come first, so following medical advice the right thing for me to do now is retire from the game.”

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Flanagan was sidelined for almost two years after suffering back to back lay-offs, starting with a knee injury in July 2014. He would miss a total of 87 matches during his time on the treatment table.

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Jon Flanagan won one senior cap for England during his career

Cafu captained Brazil to World Cup glory 20 years ago(Image: Reuters)

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During the early stages of his career, Flanagan had been affectionately nicknamed the "Scouse Cafu" by supporters due to his exciting performances at right-back.

He even caught the eye of the Brazilian World Cup winner, who once admitted he even wanted to see him play in the flesh after hearing about his promising ability.

However, injuries would stagnate his career and he left Liverpool in 2018 after making a total of 51 first team appearances and scoring one goal.

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Jon Flanagan suffered a string of injury setbacks during his career

Flanagan went on to join Rangers before spells in Belgium and Denmark. He had been without a club since leaving Danish side HB Koge, managed by former Liverpool team-mate Daniel Agger, at the end of last season.

During his career, Flanagan made one appearance for the Three Lions, with Roy Hodgson handing him his debut off the bench in a friendly against Ecuador ahead of the 2014 World Cup. He also won the League Cup with Liverpool in 2012.

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