Former Hartlepool and Sunderland goalkeeper Trevor Carson retires after knee injury | OneFootball

Former Hartlepool United, Sunderland and Portsmouth goalkeeper Trevor Carson has retired because of a knee injury, a little over a month after agreeing to join Queen of the South.

The 38-year-old is an eight-times capped Northern Ireland international. The club said in a statement that Carson, Nicky Clark’s first signing this summer, had stepped aside after a tough pre-season as he could not guarantee fitness for the full campaign, allowing time to find a replacement. The manager called it a major blow, praised his career and experience, and thanked him for his honesty.

Carson began his professional career with Sunderland, gaining senior experience on loan at Chesterfield, Lincoln City and Hull City. He left the Black Cats without a senior appearance in the summer of 2012, then joined Hartlepool in 2015 after a spell at Cheltenham Town.

He helped Pools reach the FA Cup third round in 2016 before a 2-1 home defeat by Derby County, whose line-up included Darren Bent and Andi Weimann. Carson made 63 appearances across two seasons at Victoria Park before moving to Motherwell, remaining in Scotland thereafter.

He later had spells with Dundee United, St Mirren, Ross County and Dundee. He sustained the knee injury during preparations for the new League One season.

Source: Sunderland Echo