Leicester City icon Kasper Schmeichel has officially announced his retirement from professional football following a devastating shoulder injury. The 39-year-old Celtic goalkeeper confirmed that medical experts have advised him that a return to the top flight is no longer feasible.

Football Says Goodbye to a Leicester City Legend

Schmeichel had hoped for a return to the pitch, however, specialists have informed him that regaining the level of fitness required for top-flight football is unrealistic after the crushing shoulder injury. 

The Danish keeper sensationally won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, helping the Foxes overcome extraordinary 5000-to-1 odds.

His achievements as part of that squad will forever etch his name into the Premier League history books. 

Speaking in an emotional interview with TV 2 Sport, the Danish shot-stopper revealed the heartbreaking reality of his situation.

"When my contract expires with Celtic in June, I will stop my active football career," Schmeichel confirmed. 

"It’s a decision that has been made for me. I have consulted with various surgeons and experts regarding my shoulder, and they have told me that I should not expect to return to play top football. I’ve given it a lot of thought, but I believe that now is the right time."

Shoulder Injury Ultimately Ends Schmeichel’s Career

When Schmeichel first stepped away from the Danish national team in March, the thoughts were than he would fully recover and extend his playing years. But an awkward landing in a match against Stuttgart in February was the final blow. 

The goalkeeper revealed that the joint has suffered catastrophic failure, involving torn ligaments and tendons that would require extensive recovery for a player approaching his 40s.

Schmeichel admitted: "It has been a long process. When I landed on it in February, I could feel it was completely wrong. I’ve traveled around and got some assessments. The message was that not much could be done, and the conversation instead turned to what kind of life I want to live afterwards. Will I be able to lift my children? Will I be able to go out and have an active life? The dream was to come back, but the assessment was that it would be very difficult to perform at a certain level."

Danish Football Pays Tribute to Schmeichel

Peter Moller, the director of football for the Danish Football Association (DBU), was one of many to pass a glowing tribute, highlighting the goalkeeper's immense impact on the national team for over a decade, significantly leading the team to the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

"We owe Kasper a big thank you for the many great experiences he has given the Danes and the DBU," Moller stated. 

"Kasper has been one of the biggest figures in Danish football history. He has not only been a crucial player on the pitch but has had a unique love for Denmark and the national team. With his enormous winning instinct, his professionalism, and his uncompromising pursuit of perfection, he has had an invaluable impact on the national team's development and success over a number of years.”

A Final Goodbye

Many players dream of that fairytale farewell on the pitch, but for Kasper his final appearance turned out to be a 2-1 Scottish Premiership defeat to Hibernian. This anticlimactic end hasn’t, however, left any sour feelings.

The Dane remains grateful for a career that saw him follow in the footsteps of his father, Peter, achieving the highest honours in the game.

"I think everyone dreams of saying goodbye on the pitch, but you don't always get what you want," he said.

"The game doesn't owe me anything. I’ve had so many opportunities and experiences. What stands out most clearly are the friendships and connections I’ve made. The moments I’ve shared with them, for better or worse. I would have liked just one more game, but unfortunately, it wasn't to be."