Wellington Phoenix “icon” Louis Fenton has retired from football, aged 29.
After nine seasons with the Phoenix and more than 150 appearances in the Isuzu UTE A-League, Fenton has decided to hang up his boots.
Fenton, who will move to Brisbane to complete his degree in property development, made his debut for the Phoenix in 2012.
A six-time New Zealand international, only Andrew Durante, Vince Lia, Manny Muscat and Ben Sigmund have amassed more Wellington appearances than Fenton.
“It’s been on my mind the last two years,” Fenton said. “Being away from my family and my partner has made me think about life after football.
“I’ve found the last two years mentally draining but I’m excited for what’s next.
“Maybe 29 is young to be retiring but I feel like in my career I’ve been through a lot. A lot of injuries and a lot of ups and downs.
“I feel like I’m going out at a great time while my body’s in decent condition.
“Injuries are part of the story. They’ve made me tougher mentally and it’s all part of the experience. You have a lot of lows but that makes the highs even better.”
Fenton added: “Getting to play professional football was my dream. I grew up supporting the club and the club’s become such a big part of my life and part of the person I am now.
“Probably the highlights are playing in front of friends and family and the people I’ve met along the way. I’ve been lucky enough to make friends for life. I know that’s cliché but it’s true.
“I’m thankful for the club giving me the opportunity to play professional football.”
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Fenton, whose career has been hampered by injuries, featured 22 times in 2021-22, with nine of those starts for a Wellington team that lost in the Elimination Final.
Labelling Fenton “an icon of the club”, Phoenix head coach Ufuk Talay said: “I love Louis because first and foremost he’s a top, top person.
“He’s a great character and I always know what I’m going to get from Louis. He’ll always run through a brick wall for the team.
“That’s something that coaches love to have. A player that’s willing to give everything for the team to get the outcome that they need. That’s at times sacrificing your body and that’s the person Louis is.”
