DOYLE CALLS IT A DAY ON MEDICAL ADVICE
WOLVES’ former recordsigning Kevin Doyle has retired due to “repeated headaches” caused by heading the ball.
The 34-year-old striker, whose £6.5m move to Molineux from Reading in 2009 has since been eclipsed by the £15m shelled out for Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves, revealed that he has opted to call time on his career on medical grounds.
The Irishman has suffered multiple concussions during his career, including two this season while playing for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer, and confirmed on social media his playing days have come to an end.
“Today, I’m sad to announce that after listening to medical advice, I will no further part in this season and will be retiring,” said Doyle.
“This year, it has been clear to me that heading the ball was becoming problematic, and causing me to have repeated headaches.
“Two concussions this season and numerous others over the years have made this more concerning.
“After consulting with experts in the field, it has been decided that to avoid the possibility of these symptoms become more serious and permanent, I will be hanging up my boots for good.”
Doyle, notched 56 goals in 163 appearances for Reading before finding the net 33 times during his fiveyear spell with Wolves.
The pacy frontman, who also had spells with Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace, was capped 62 times by the Republic of Ireland, scoring 14 goals, playing at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.
“I'm privileged and proud to have fulfilled my childhood dream of playing for my country,” said Doyle, who was named the Republic of Ireland’s player of the year in 2010.
“Everything else was a bonus.”