Long-serving West Brom defender Neil Clement has retired after losing his injury battle.
Defender retires on medical advice after losing injury battle
Long-serving West Brom defender Neil Clement has hung up his boots after losing his injury battle.
The 31-year-old has retired after a last-ditch groundbreaking treatment failed to cure a right knee problem, which has kept him out for 17 months.
After taking medical advice, he has decided to hang up his boots, although he will stay on at the club for this season at least behind the scenes.
Clement told the
Express and Star: "I knew I was struggling because I'd been out for so long but when I actually heard the consultant say those words, it was still a really bitter pill to swallow.
Nothing
"Nothing can prepare you for it. Being told your career is over is the one thing no player wants to hear.
"However, I can take real comfort from the fact I have tried absolutely everything to get back playing again.
"In years to come, it would have been an awful thing to look back and think 'why didn't I try this or that?'.
"I have no regrets because, in my heart of hearts, I know I couldn't have done any more."
Long service
Clement has been at the Hawthorns since March 2000, joining initially on loan from Chelsea before making the switch permanent for £100,000 in July.
He went on to play 300 matches for the Baggies, with his last game against QPR in 2008.
Clement is delighted he can now stay on at the club, where he will spend the rest of this season working in the academy and sports science departments, having previously expressed an interest in sports physiotherapy.
He added: "I'm delighted that the chairman, Dan Ashworth and Roberto Di Matteo still feel I have a lot to offer the club, as do I.
"West Bromwich Albion have been part and parcel of my life for the past 10 years and I want to say a massive thank you to everyone at the club and, of course, the fans for all their support over the past decade."
