Premier League winner Kasper Schmeichel forced to retire due to serious injury | OneFootball

Celtic and Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has announced his forced retirement from professional football due to a severe shoulder injury.

The 39-year-old, a pivotal figure in Leicester City’s improbable Premier League triumph in 2016, has been sidelined since February.

Schmeichel, son of Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel, revealed in March that he had undergone two surgeries and faced a daunting 10 to 12 months of rehabilitation. Despite his initial determination to fight for his career, he has now conceded defeat.

"When my contract with Celtic expires in June, my career as an active footballer stops," Schmeichel told TV2 in his native Denmark.

He explained that the decision was not his own, but a medical necessity.

"It is a decision that has been made for me, after consulting with several surgeons and experts in my field, who tell me that I should not expect the opportunity to return and play top football."

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Schmeichel finished his career at Celtic (PA)

Reflecting on the timing, he added: "So after a lot of consideration, after trying to get as many opinions as possible, after getting so many experts’ evaluation, I think this is the right time now.

“We are also celebrating our 10th anniversary of winning the championship with Leicester (at an event this weekend), so I think this is the right time now to announce that I have played my last professional football match."

Schmeichel’s final competitive appearance was in Celtic’s 2-1 home defeat by Hibernian.

He earned 120 caps for Denmark, with his last international outing coming in a World Cup qualification loss against Scotland at Hampden in November.

Throughout his career, he also represented clubs including Manchester City, Notts County, Leeds, Nice, and Anderlecht, and featured in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Expressing his frustration at not being able to conclude his career on his own terms, Schmeichel admitted: "It may well be that I am smiling, but inside it is probably my resistance mechanism. It’s not funny, it’s not how I would have wanted my career to end."

"But on the other hand, everything comes to an end, and the biggest feeling I have left is gratitude for everything I have been able to achieve, all the clubs I have been able to play in, all the people I have met, all the friendships, and I have been lucky enough to learn through football."

Danish football’s governing body, DBU, paid tribute on X, stating: "Kasper Schmeichel ends his career. From debut in Skopje to World Cup debut against Peru, big saves against some of the world’s best nations, a Euro semi-final at Wembley and much more. 13 years. 120 matches for the National Team. Thanks for unforgettable moments, Kasper."