Farewell from Stu as baby arrives...
FORMER BoltonWanderers star Stuart Holden wrote a lengthy retirement letter from football – just as his wife Karalyn went into labour with their first child!
A succession of knee injuries over the last few years made the Aberdeen-born USA international decide to hang up his boots – and look ahead to the future.
In his football farewell, the 30-year-old midfielder said: “Life is great… isn’t it? Sometimes, it works in just the right way.
“As I sat down to write my retirement letter, the final chapter of my 11-year career, my wife went into labour with our first child. (Heading to hospital, hold on for a second).
“OK, I’m back. Labour can take a while, but it’s the perfect affirmation that I have made the right decision to hang up my boots.
“I couldn’t be more ready – ready for the next chapter of my life, ready to wave goodbye to the pitch (the playing part, at least), but, most of all, ready to embark on the most exciting journey yet, fatherhood. “Certain memories are always at the front of my mind: representing the USA in the Olympics and aWorld Cup, two MLS Cup Championships with the Houston Dynamo, the last-minute goal against Haiti, and how could I ever forget the pure elation of scoring the stoppage-time winner for Bolton against Blackburn?”
As Holden continued to tell his tale, he added:“One thing is for sure: you haven’t seen the end of me… but I might take a short break as the contractions are kicking my wife’s butt right now.”
Then came the best result of his life.
“PS. As of 2:35pm,February 1st, 2016, I am officially a father to a beautiful baby girl, Kennady Rose Holden.
“Mom and daughter are in great health and dad is proud. Bring on parenthood.”