Ex-Fulham, Bristol City and Millwall star confirms retirement | OneFootball

Joe Bryan has called time on his playing career

Joe Bryan has announced his retirement from football, aged 32, following his release from Millwall at the end of last season.

The former left-back made close to 400 domestic appearances throughout the English footballing ladder, 280 of which came in the Championship, while he played 44 times in the Premier League while at Fulham.

And it was just two seasons ago that Bryan lined up regularly in the second tier for Millwall, starting 37 games for Alex Neil's side as they came close to finishing in the top six, missing out on the final day.

However, after just 19 league appearances for the Lions last season, his contract wasn't renewed, and the 32-year-old has decided to call it a day on his playing career.

Joe Bryan announces his retirement

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Taking to Instagram, Bryan penned a brief but heartfelt retirement message, thanking everyone who has supported him throughout his career.

"It’s disappeared in the blink of an eye, but now feels like the right time to bring the curtain down on my playing career," he wrote. "Whilst not the perfect ending everyone hopes for, I am at peace with the decision to retire and move into a new phase of my life.

"I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me through each failure, each success, each setback and each triumph. It has been a truly special journey."

The Bristol-born full-back came through the academy at Bristol City, progressing through the ranks and making 230 appearances for the first team, playing a key role in the Robins side who did the League One and EFL Trophy double during the 2014/15 campaign.

After establishing himself as a top Championship operator, Bryan would leave Ashton Gate for Premier League side Fulham in a move worth £6 million. While the Cottagers would be relegated in his first year, he remained at the club and helped them back into the top flight at the first time of asking.

Two of his five goals for Fulham came in the play-off final that year against Brentford, one of which saw him beat David Raya with a free-kick from 40 yards, becoming the hero for Scott Parker's side.

After struggling with injury and falling out of favour in his final two years at Craven Cottage, Bryan would spend the 2022/23 season on loan with Ligue 1 side Nice, but he only made six French top-flight appearances, returning at the end of the season and signing for Millwall.

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Bryan made a big impact across all of his clubs throughout his career, and several of his teammates were quick to commend him on a solid innings and wish him the best with what's next.

Chelsea centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo, who played with the 32-year-old at Fulham, commented, "My guy! Happy retirement brother; enjoy lifeee🙏🏾❤️," while modern-day Cottagers legend Tom Cairney said, "Congrats mate Fulham Ledge 🖤 enjoy the next part of your life man 🤝🫡."

The official Fulham Instragram account also commented, "A Fulham hero. Good luck in your next chapter! 🤍," while Millwall's said, "All the best with what’s next, Joe! 💙"

"Happy retirement my mate & what a career! Thank you ❤️," former Millwall full-back Danny McNamara said, and fellow former Lions teammate Mihailo Ivanovic simply wrote, "Legend❤️," under the post.

Joe Bryan retires as one of the more consistent top-end attacking full-backs in Championship history

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Bryan had Championship experience in his early days at Bristol City, but when he returned with the Robins following winning League One, he was quickly established as one of the better attacking full-backs in the division.

He registered 10, six and eight goal contributions in his three second-tier years at Ashton Gate, and when he returned to the level with Fulham in 2019/20, he made the PFA Championship Team of the Season, while picking up Man of the Match in that play-off final.

Those numbers did decrease somewhat during his three years at Millwall, but they don't diminish how good he truly was throughout his early-to-mid 20s at the level, and, as mentioned, he was a regular starter for a play-off-chasing side just two seasons ago.

Bryan's final year may not have been as impactful as he'd have ideally wanted, but he retires having left a big impact on every side he's played for and has left each one with plenty of fond memories, too.