Blackburn Rovers defender Derrick Williams has retired from football. The 29-year-old helped the club win promotion back to the Championship from League One.

What happened?

Williams made 152 appearances for Blackburn Rovers, scoring six goals. He left the club in March 2021 to join LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer.

Why it matters for Blackburn Rovers

Williams' retirement marks the end of an era for the defender, who was a cult figure at Ewood Park. He returned to England in 2022 to play for Reading.

What comes next?

The defender has thanked his family, agent, and coaches in a long social media post, announcing his decision to retire from football. | Stat | Value | | --- | --- | | Appearances for Blackburn Rovers | 152 | | Goals scored for Blackburn Rovers | 6 | Williams said: 'After 16 special years, it now feels the right time for me to retire from football.' He has expressed gratitude to his teammates and coaches throughout his career. And he will miss the competitiveness of training sessions. But he is excited for what's to come. So the next chapter of his life begins.

Career highlights

Williams played for several clubs, including Blackburn Rovers and Reading. He won promotion with Blackburn Rovers in 2018. | Club | Years | | --- | --- | | Blackburn Rovers | 2016-2021 | | Reading | 2022-2023 | The defender has announced his retirement from football, bringing an end to his 16-year career.