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Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has quit football for personal reasons.
The 35-year-old signed a one year deal with League One side Bury just two months ago, but has now asked the club to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
Kirkland said in a statement that walking away from football had been the "the toughest decision I've ever had to make" but he is putting his family first.
He explained: “I have asked Bury FC to cancel my contract with immediate effect and I am thankful to the gaffer and the chairman for the compassion and understanding they have shown.
Getty Images
The keeper made one full England appearance, against Greece in 2006
“I know people will find it hard to understand why someone like myself, who has been lucky enough to have spent my professional life in football and enjoyed all the benefits that comes with that, needs some time and space away from the game.
"However, it's a decision I've taken putting my family's future and well-being first. It's been the toughest decision I've ever had to make, but I know it's the right one."
And England under 21 star, Kirkland played for Coventry, West Brom, Liverpool, Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan, Leicester, Doncaster and Preston in a career spanning 18 years.
He also made one appearance for England as a second half substitute against Greece in 2006.
Getty Images
Kirkland was Jerzy Dudek's understudy during his time at Liverpool
Two years ago Kirkland said he was considering becoming a fireman when his football career was over.
But the 6ft 6in stopper, who was signed by Bury boss David Flitcroft in the summer, has now opened the door to a return to the game in some capacity, when the time is right.
In his statement he added: “I hope, at the appropriate time, I might be able to, again, be involved and work within football, either as a player or in coaching or even work within the community.
"I believe that taking this break will allow me to come back refreshed, with a new perspective on the game that will be valuable to someone.
“Again, I'd like to place on record my thanks to the club, the players, the staff, management and the Chairman for showing what top class people they are in how they've managed this situation for me. I'll be supporting them all season long and wishing them well in the League One campaign.
Matthew Lewis
Kirkland celebrates a win during his time at Sheffield Wednesday
“Above all, I wish great success to David Flitcroft, who's shown me that leadership of a football club carries with it many responsibilities and he excels at all of them. I will always be grateful for the support he has given me.”
Bury boss Flitcroft said Kirkland would receive "unconditional support" from him and the club and paid tribute to the keeper for putting his family first.
He said: "It's been a difficult situation to deal with for me as a manager.
"When someone like Chris Kirkland, who has so much to offer the game as a player and as a person comes into your building and says he doesn't want to and can't carry on you have to listen.
"One thing I pride myself on as a manager is that I'm always approachable to my players and staff and understand the pressures that sometimes can be experienced away from football.
Gareth Copley
Bury boss Flitcroft is supportive of Kirkland's decision
"We work in a fantastic industry but the game and life has many pressures and can be very difficult at times.
"Chris needs time out away from the game he loves, but family is and will always be more important than football. Chris has chosen to devote all his time to his family and both the club and I support his difficult decision.
"He knows of the unconditional support he has and will always receive from me and the club. We wish Chris and his family well and I hope to see him return in some capacity to football when the time is right for him.”
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has quit football for personal reasons.
The 35-year-old signed a one year deal with League One side Bury just two months ago, but has now asked the club to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
Kirkland said in a statement that walking away from football had been the "the toughest decision I've ever had to make" but he is putting his family first.
He explained: “I have asked Bury FC to cancel my contract with immediate effect and I am thankful to the gaffer and the chairman for the compassion and understanding they have shown.
Getty Images
The keeper made one full England appearance, against Greece in 2006
“I know people will find it hard to understand why someone like myself, who has been lucky enough to have spent my professional life in football and enjoyed all the benefits that comes with that, needs some time and space away from the game.
"However, it's a decision I've taken putting my family's future and well-being first. It's been the toughest decision I've ever had to make, but I know it's the right one."
And England under 21 star, Kirkland played for Coventry, West Brom, Liverpool, Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan, Leicester, Doncaster and Preston in a career spanning 18 years.
He also made one appearance for England as a second half substitute against Greece in 2006.
Getty Images
Kirkland was Jerzy Dudek's understudy during his time at Liverpool
Two years ago Kirkland said he was considering becoming a fireman when his football career was over.
But the 6ft 6in stopper, who was signed by Bury boss David Flitcroft in the summer, has now opened the door to a return to the game in some capacity, when the time is right.
In his statement he added: “I hope, at the appropriate time, I might be able to, again, be involved and work within football, either as a player or in coaching or even work within the community.
"I believe that taking this break will allow me to come back refreshed, with a new perspective on the game that will be valuable to someone.
“Again, I'd like to place on record my thanks to the club, the players, the staff, management and the Chairman for showing what top class people they are in how they've managed this situation for me. I'll be supporting them all season long and wishing them well in the League One campaign.
Matthew Lewis
Kirkland celebrates a win during his time at Sheffield Wednesday
“Above all, I wish great success to David Flitcroft, who's shown me that leadership of a football club carries with it many responsibilities and he excels at all of them. I will always be grateful for the support he has given me.”
Bury boss Flitcroft said Kirkland would receive "unconditional support" from him and the club and paid tribute to the keeper for putting his family first.
He said: "It's been a difficult situation to deal with for me as a manager.
"When someone like Chris Kirkland, who has so much to offer the game as a player and as a person comes into your building and says he doesn't want to and can't carry on you have to listen.
"One thing I pride myself on as a manager is that I'm always approachable to my players and staff and understand the pressures that sometimes can be experienced away from football.
Gareth Copley
Bury boss Flitcroft is supportive of Kirkland's decision
"We work in a fantastic industry but the game and life has many pressures and can be very difficult at times.
"Chris needs time out away from the game he loves, but family is and will always be more important than football. Chris has chosen to devote all his time to his family and both the club and I support his difficult decision.
"He knows of the unconditional support he has and will always receive from me and the club. We wish Chris and his family well and I hope to see him return in some capacity to football when the time is right for him.”
