Leeds United: Pablo Hernandez and Liam Cooper react as Stuart Dallas announces retirement
Leeds United captain Liam Cooper and former Whites skipper Pablo Hernandez have reacted after Stuart Dallas announced he would be retiring from football.
The Northern Irish international announced in a statement on Wednesday (10 April) that he would be calling time on his playing career at the end of the season having last played for Leeds back in April 2022.
Having attempted to make a return to action over the last two years, Dallas has accepted that a knee injury had left him irreparable damage but has received plenty of support from former and current teammates.
Writing on X on Wednesday (10 April) Cooper said: “My best pal! Thank you. What a player but what an even better person. Life can be seriously cruel at times.
“Just know the same fight you had to get back fit is the same fight that will make you successful in whatever is next. We Love ya pal and will always be here for ya. LEGEND!”
Similarly, posting on his Instagram (10 April) Hernandez said: “Legend!! All the best for the future bro!!! We love you.”
Has Leeds United star Stuart Dallas retired after his injury?
It is never nice to see a player forced into retirement through injury and that is now different when talking about Dallas who has worked so incredibly hard to try and get back onto the Elland Road pitch in recent years.
While it is a shame for all involved at Leeds, this decision will not have been taken lightly and both Dallas and those in charge at Thorp Arch will have likely known that this has been coming for a while.
It feels as though the members of the team that were so successful under Marcelo Bielsa in the Premier League and the Championship are slowly being broken up in front of supporters’ eyes, with most of the group now departing Elland Road.
Hopefully, Daniel Farke will be able to achieve something special this season to put his own stamp on Leeds’ history and at least ensure Dallas bows out a winner, even if he hasn’t been able to pull on his boots.
In other Leeds United news, an update has emerged from Elland Road amid Borussia Dortmund’s interest in Archie Gray
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