‘Reaffirmed my decision’ – Ex-Premier League star retired to seal place in Chelsea vs Liverpool legends match

Former Liverpool and Crystal Palace defender Martin Kelly has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35.

And the decision to hang up his boots was made easier by his desire to feature in a Chelsea vs Liverpool legends match.

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Kelly, who last played a professional game in February 2023 for Wigan Athletic, has now officially called time on his playing days.

The ex-right back has not revealed the news to fans on his social media, but he confirmed his retirement to The Athletic.

He said in an interview: “I’ve never actually got around to writing the social media post to announce it; I’ve only told friends and family, but yeah, I’ve retired.

“It was March when I sat down with the family and told them I was thinking about it.”

Kelly also then went on to reveal the specific thing that pushed him to make the decision to retire from playing.

And it was because he wanted to meet the requirements to play in a legends match between Chelsea and Liverpool.

He continued: “Around the same time, I got asked to play for Liverpool in a legends game against Chelsea.

“One of the stipulations was that you had to be retired, so that just reaffirmed my decision.”

Liverpool also revealed the news on their website, looking back on Kelly’s career at the club and other teams.

They then wrote: “Everyone at LFC wishes him the best of luck for the future.”

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Kelly’s career

Kelly began his football career at Liverpool, joining the academy at eight years old and breaking through into the first team.

He went on to play 62 games for the Reds across six years at the club, making his senior debut in the Champions League.

During his time at Anfield, the former right-back claimed his only England cap and featured in the Three Lions’ squad at Euro 2012.

An ACL injury meant his career was majorly impacted in 2013 and he eventually joined Crystal Palace in 2014.

Across eight years at Palace, Kelly played over 120 games and became a regular feature in the Eagles’ defence.

He then joined West Brom in 2022 and was loaned out to Wigan a year later, where he sadly picked up another serious injury on his debut and played his final game.

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Legends in action

Kelly’s retirement allowed him to feature in the Chelsea vs Liverpool legends match on Saturday, October 11.

Icons and former players from both Premier League giants were part of the fixture at Stamford Bridge.

Eden Hazard, Petr Cech, John Terry, Marcel Desailly, Diego Costa, Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou played for Chelsea.

Liverpool’s squad included Pepe Reina, Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun, Jay Spearing and Fabio Aurelio.

Kelly joined those stars and others in the Reds team for what was a match put together for a great cause.

All proceeds from the charity clash will be going to the LFC Foundation and the Chelsea Foundation.