Michael Bridges retires from football

29 April 2011 11:58
Former Sunderland and Leeds striker Michael Bridges has announced his retirement from professional football with immediate effect.[LNB]The 32-year-old striker made more than 200 appearances in the Premier League during spells with the Black Cats, Leeds and Newcastle, on loan.[LNB]Bridges moved to the Newcastle Jets in 2009 and scored six goals in 15 appearances during his first season in Australia.[LNB] Top cat: Michael Bridges (front) began his career with Sunderland[LNB]He became the club's first overseas-born captain at the start of the 2010-11 campaign, but has since been hampered by a knee injury.[LNB]Bridges will stay on with the A-League side as their international football and business development manager.[LNB]'After great consideration it was a difficult to decision to make,' the former England Under-21 international said.[LNB] Promise: Bridges quickly established himself at Leeds before injury struck[LNB]'However the opportunity to enter the next phase of my life is one that is too exciting not to take now whilst it is being offered.'[LNB] North Shields-born Bridges is considered one of the of the Premier League's great unfulfilled talents, as injury prevented him reaching his best.[LNB]Having made a multi-million pound move from Sunderland to Leeds in 1999, Bridges scored 19 goals for United in his first season.[LNB] Familiar story: Bridges never reached his full potential after an achilles injury[LNB]However, a serious Achilles injury the following year seriously hampered his ability and he failed to score again for Leeds in four more seasons before leaving.[LNB]As well as Newcastle, he also had spells in the UK at Bolton, Carlisle, Hull and MK Dons.[LNB]  Former Sunderland striker Michael Bridges Jets in to sign for NewcastleSydney Bridges: Michael enjoys the good life in Oz after all the injuries [LNB]  Explore more:People: Michael Bridges Places: Newcastle, Leeds, United Kingdom, Australia

Source: Daily_Mail