West Bromwich Albion's Neil Clement forced to retire

Clement missed most of 2007/08 because of injury as well

West Bromwich Albion defender Neil Clement has announced his retirement because of a long-term knee injury.

Despite having two operations on his right knee, the 31-year-old left-back has failed to overcome the injury he suffered in pre-season 17 months ago.

He said: "Nothing can prepare you for it. Being told your career is over is the one thing no player wants to hear.

"However, I can take real comfort from the fact I have tried absolutely everything to get back playing."

Clement, who also missed most of the 2007/08 season due to a knee injury, began his career at Chelsea and also had a loan spells at Reading, Preston and Brentford.

He initially joined the Baggies on loan in March 2000 before making the move permanent that summer and helped the West Midlands club to three promotions during his time at The Hawthorns.

He also had a loan spell at Hull City, making four league starts between February and March 2008, the season the Tigers won promotion to the Premier League.

606: DEBATE

300 appearances for WBA, wow, that is something and it is not often these days that a player can boast that on his CV

fireyMoosse

Clement added: "The hardest thing to take is that, when I got back into the team at the end of the 2007/08 season, I felt I was playing better than ever and coming into my prime - both physically and mentally.

"So to get this injury the following pre-season, especially on the eve of our return to the Premier League, was a devastating blow."

The defender, who made 333 career appearances, is hoping to remain in football and has been offered the chance to work at West Brom until the end of the season.

"It's going to take me some time to get over the shock of being told my playing days are over but life will go on and I've got a new challenge to look forward to," he said.

"West Bromwich Albion have been part and parcel of my life for the past 10 years and I want to say a massive thank you to everyone at the club and, of course, the fans for all their support over the past decade."