Despite still being active, a footballer who left Birmingham City last summer has decided to end his playing career.
Former Birmingham City defender George Friend has announced his retirement from professional football with ‘immediate effect’.
The 36-year-old had been linked with a position in Bristol Rovers’ recruitment staff, and it was expected that he will retire at the end of the 2023/24 season. He has decided to put up his boots with 12 games left in his current club’s season and will now take on a different position for them.
He has been named the new Director of Football of the League One club and will commence his new role immediately. Friend began his football career with the Gas when he was nine years old, and he has already secured his first role after finishing a 19-year career.
“I’ve learned something from everyone on my journey,” Friend stated in a statement posted on the Bristol Rovers’ official website.
“I’d like to thank everyone who helped me accomplish more than I could have ever imagined. Team members, employees, managers, owners, and supporters…
“I remain determined and driven to achieve in my role at Rovers. It is where I began my football career as a child, and it feels quite appropriate that it is where I will end it.”
Friend joined Bristol Rovers after being released by Birmingham City last summer and has played 12 times for the West Country club this season. He made 52 appearances for St Andrew’s during his three-year stay after being brought in by former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka. He was one of six players released last year after only seven appearances in the 2022/23 season.
Friend’s CV also includes Middlesbrough, where he spent the majority of his career. He appeared 299 times for them, including 25 Premier League games for the Boro. He made eight appearances for Wolves and also played for Doncaster Rovers, Millwall, Southend United, and Scunthorpe.