BOLTON Wanderers defender Stephen Darby has been forced to retire from football after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

The Liverpool-born 29-year-old defender confirmed the news in an official statement this morning.

Darby - who married his long-term partner, England international Steph Houghton this summer - was given the diagnosis last week by specialists and has asked for privacy as he comes to terms with the non-curable condition.

“It is with great sadness that I announce my immediate retirement from professional football due to a recent diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease," he said.

“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 arrived at Bolton in the summer of 2017, linking up once again with Phil Parkinson, who had made him his club captain at Bradford City. In total, Darby made 236 appearances in West Yorkshire before moving to back to the North West, where he had graduated through the ranks of Liverpool as a youngster.

In 2008 the right-back made his first competitive appearance for the Reds as a substitute in a Champions League fixture against PSV Eindhoven.

The following year he made his first competitive start, again in the Champions League, against Fiorentina. Following loan spells with Swindon Town, Notts County and Rochdale, Darby made the move to Valley Parade where he wore the captain’s armband for two years.

Parkinson brought him to Wanderers to utilise his leadership qualities in a squad which was looking to secure its Championship status against the odds.

“This is heart breaking news for Stephen and his family and the thoughts of everybody at Bolton Wanderers Football Club are very much with him and Steph,” the manager said. “He is an outstanding professional and a fantastic person.

“He was simply magnificent during his time at Bradford and was a key figure in the resurgence of Bradford City as a football club.

“He typified everything the city and the football club represented and led by example on and off the pitch.

“The Bolton Wanderers fans didn’t see the best of him due to limited first team opportunities, but I can assure everyone that he made a significant contribution in last year’s survival.

“He constantly set high standards in training every day and encouraged and drove his fellow teammates on.

“All the staff and players at Bolton Wanderers Football Club think the world of him and are determined to give him every possible bit of support.”

Bolton Wanderers chairman Ken Anderson added: “We were all saddened when we found out that Stephen has to retire from the profession he loves.

“Stephen is very well thought of by everybody at Bolton Wanderers and he will always be welcome at the University of Bolton Stadium.

“Our thoughts are with him and his family and friends during this difficult time.”