I was the youngest player in Premier League history but I retired at 32 after spell in the non-league

THE ONE-TIME youngest player in Premier League history has retired at the age of 32.

His career included spells in Denmark and non-league before he announced he was hanging up his boots on Tuesday.

2

A Fulham academy graduate, the defender made his Premier League debut aged 16 years, two months and seven days in May 2007.

After coming off the bench for the Cottagers against Middlesbrough, he then sat a GCSE exam the following day.

He would hold the record for 12 years before it was broken by Harvey Elliott in 2019.

The player in question is Matthew Briggs, who now looks unrecognisable over 16 years on.

READ MORE IN FOOTBALL

CRUEL SCAM

I was told I would be next Neymar by scout - I was left starving miles from home

POWER UP

Get £40 in free football Bet Builder bets when you stake £10 with Paddy Power

Briggs confirmed his retirement in a social media post, writing: "I would also like to thank my family and friends for supporting me throughout my career.

"Thank you to the clubs, coaching & background staff, and teammates I've had along the way.

"Now I look forward to helping the next generation of future stars. Thank you. Briggsy."

Briggs spent a further seven years with Fulham after his Premier League debut, playing 12 more top flight matches in that time.

Most read in Football

SILVA LINING

West Ham move for £20m 'next David Silva' as Lucas Paqueta replacement

Clash STOPPED

Liverpool star in tears after Nations League medical emergency pauses clash

RUUD AWAKENING

Van Nistelrooy's Man Utd exit leaves Prem boss looking over shoulder

WARD HAS IT

Rob Edwards' Luton future in doubt even if Hatters don't sack under-fire boss

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

2

He also had four loan spells before departing in 2014 before a journeyman career in the Football League, non-league and Denmark.

The former England youth international had only joined seventh tier Horsham earlier this summer, prior to announcing his retirement.

However, he has now departed after deciding to end his playing career.

Briggs also won 15 caps for Guyana and represented the country at the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.