Who is Stephen Darby, which teams has he played for, when was he diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and when did he marry Steph Houghton?

STEPHEN DARBY has been forced to retire at the age of just 29.

The former Liverpool trainee is a talented full-back and was part of the Bradford side that reached the League Cup final in 2013.

Who is Stephen Darby?

BORN in Liverpool 1988, Darby joined the Reds academy and was given a contract in 2006.

He was part of the FA Youth Cup winning teams in 2006 and 2007, and appeared on the bench in Champions League games shortly after.

Darby only played seven times for his boyhood club, going out on loan to Rochdale, Notts County and Swindon.

The full-back was snapped up by Bradford in 2012 on a two-year deal and went on to become a fans favourite as Phil Parkinson’s side reached the League Cup final.

He won promotion back to League One with the Bantams before leaving in 2017 when his contract expired, joining Parkinson at Bolton.

When was he diagnosed with motor neurone disease?

THE defender hasn’t been in action for Bolton since December 2017 and has only made two appearances for the club.

And Darby revealed in September 2018 that he has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, resulting in his immediate retirement from football at the age of 29.

He said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I announce my immediate retirement from professional football due to a recent diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank my teammates, Phil Parkinson and all the staff at Bolton Wanderers Football Club for their amazing support at what has been an extremely difficult period for myself and my family.

“I would like to ask for privacy at this time so I can adjust to the battle I have ahead and so that I can spend time with those closest to me.”

Darby married Manchester City Women and England international Steph Houghton this summer.