Daniel James and Joe Rodon react as emotional retirement announced
Leeds United players have come together following the announcement of a former teammates’ retirement on Monday.
Burnley beat Leeds 2-0 on Saturday, with goals from Lesley Ugochukwu and Loum Tchaouna completing a disappointing day for the Whites.
Daniel Farke‘s team dominated large sections of the game, but could not find a way past Martin Dubravka in the Clarets net.
Jayden Bogle missed a massive chance against Burnley, and Brenden Aaronson was also among the players guilty of wasting great openings in the penalty box.
One Leeds staff member smashed his desk in fury after Karl Darlow had given the ball away, summing up the frustrating atmosphere surrounding the Whites’ camp on Saturday.
Leeds players react as Joe Morrell announces retirement
Former Portsmouth, Luton Town and Lincoln City midfielder Joe Morrell has announced his retirement from football, despite turning just 28 in January.
Morrell spent much of his career in League One, and left Portsmouth at the end of the 2023-24 season after they had been promoted.
| Joe Morrell | Club | Wales |
| Appearances | 196 | 37 |
| Goals | 4 | 0 |
| Assists | 17 | 2 |
The midfielder underwent surgery on his knee in 2024, and has been in rehab for the last two years in an attempt to return to football.
But in an Instagram post on Monday, Morrell said: “I’m at peace with the fact that I’ll never again be able to play.“
The 28-year-old was a full Wales international and was capped 37 times across his career, making appearances at the Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.
Leeds and Wales players Daniel James and Joe Rodon, who played with Morrell on the international stage, liked the midfielder’s post.
Morrell once assisted Daniel James screamer
Wales beat Finland 3-1 in the Nations League in 2020, with James, Morrell and Rodon all featuring for Rob Page’s side.
Less than a minute into the second half, Morrell had won the ball in the Finland half, before poking through to James, who was on the turn.
The winger needed just two touches before unleashing a devastating strike from outside the box, that flew past the goalkeeper and into the top corner.
It was a stunning moment for the 27-year-old, and one which Morrell will always feature prominently in when James looks back on it.
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