"At Peace: Former Premier League Star Shocks Fans with Retirement at 32 After a 'Truly Special Journey'"

FORMER Fulham and Bristol City defender Joe Bryan has announced his retirement at age 32.

The Robins academy graduate insisted he is “at peace” with his decision.

Bristol-born Bryan, who also played for Bath City, Plymouth, Nice and – most recently – Millwall, joined the Robins’ youth system at the age of eight.

The defender signed his first professional contract in 2011 before making his first-team debut as an 18-year-old in a win over Leicester City a year later.

He played 230 times for City before he made the step up to the Premier League with in the summer of 2018.

He etched his name in Fulham folklore with a brace that saw Scott Parker’s side beat arch-rivals Brentford in the 2019-20 play-off final.

to break the deadlock in extra time.

Bryan played 117 times for the Cottagers before he made the move to Millwall in the summer of 2023, after a loan spell in Ligue 1 with Nice.

Bryan posted an emotional carousel of photos to Instagram on Wednesday morning with the caption: “It’s disappeared in the blink of an eye, but now feels like the right time to bring the curtain down on my playing career.

“Whilst not the perfect ending everyone hopes for, I am at peace with my decision to retire and move into the next phase of my life.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me through each failure, each success, each setback and each triumph. It has been a truly special journey.”

A number of players expressed their support to Bryan in the comments.

Fulham captain Tom Cairney led the charge and said: “Congrats mate, Fulham ledge. Enjoy the next part of your life man.”

said: “Congratulations mate, what a career.”

Fulham said: “A Fulham hero. Goodluck in your next chapter.”

And Millwall added: “All the best with what’s next, Joe!”