Martin Laursen Retires From Football

[GoonerLover66]

Laursen hangs up his boots
Danish defender retires from football with immediate effect

Aston Villa captain Martin Laursen has called time on his playing career due to injury.

The Danish defender, who has not played since January, has announced that he will be retiring from football with immediate effect.

He has been plagued by knee problems for many years and the latest setback left him facing a decision about whether to carry on.

Laursen could have undergone another major operation - this time on his right knee - in an attempt to return to action but he has instead opted to hang up his boots.

The 31-year-old's retirement will leave a huge void to fill in the Villa defence as he has been one of the club's most consistent performers in recent seasons.

He moved to Villa Park from AC Milan in 2004 and went on to establish himself as one of the strongest centre-backs in the Premier League.

Laursen has had to endure many spells on the sidelines but it was hoped earlier this season he had finally overcome his problems.

A series of excellent performances helped Villa mount a challenge for a UEFA Champions League spot before he was struck down again.

Martin O'Neill's men have struggled to keep as many clean sheets in Laursen's absence and will finish either fifth or sixth in the league.

Laursen, who made 53 appearances for Denmark before retiring from international football earlier this year, also spent time with homeland club Silkeborg and Italian sides Hellas Verona and Parma earlier in his career.

He still had a lot of years left in him, I wonder how Villa will cope without him.

 

[ALBICELESTE2010]

They haven't coped well in his absence in any case.

The squad is too small and with Lerner and O'Neill not really pushing the boat out their push next season will also no doubt run out of steam.

It's a workmanlike squad but it really suffers from real goalscoring threat/creativity/pace from the midfield.

 

[PLF]

Sad news.

He really came alive since joining Premier league and Villa. Was a tremendous influence in Birmingham where as I never previously rated him much. But he proved me wrong and helped Aston Villa BIG! But now... it's the end.

 

[fd1972uk]

Yep, totally agree with PLF, never really thought he was much cop, although I did admittedly only see him limited with club and country.

However with Aston Villa he was fantastic.

Shame at his age.


FD

 

[Jumbo_]

I dont think it was any coincidence that he got injured and Aston Villa's form slumped dramatically round about the same time.

He was a beast for the past 2 seasons, they'll miss him.

 

[matt1288]

A fantastic player with Villa, it's a shame that this happened to him at his ages.