Former Chelsea starlet Charly Musonda announces retirement from football aged 28 | OneFootball

Former Chelsea starlet Charly Musonda has retired from professional football at the age of 28.

He was once regarded as one of the Blues’ most promising talents and was tipped to be the successor to club icon Eden Hazard.

However, recurring injury problems halted Musonda’s career, leading to his early retirement from football.

In an interview with Rising Ballers, he said: “It took some time. I have been thinking about it for the last couple of years. Purely because of my own experiences and who I am as a person.

“I want to be doing things with purpose. I want to inspire and motivate people. I want to create opportunities. I am starting something new that will hopefully help players.

“Today, I have made a decision. It is a decision I have been wrestling with for a long time, but I am going to retire from professional football.

“It is not an easy decision, but I am building up towards the next stage now.

“I will still be involved in football. In roles to help players express themselves and give them an opportunity to showcase how good they are.”

Musonda joined Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2012 and impressed with his performances for the youth teams.

Operating as a winger, he scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 52 appearances for the Under-21 side.

Following a loan spell at Real Betis, Musonda made his first-team debut for Chelsea against Arsenal in the FA Community Shield in 2017.

He subsequently spent most of his time on loan to Celtic and Vitesse Arnhem.

Musonda suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury in the Netherlands, which limited him to just four league appearances over the next two seasons.

He eventually left Chelsea in 2022 at the end of his contract.

Musonda made 19 appearances for Levante in Spain before terminating his contract to join Anorthosis Famagusta in 2023.

Despite signing a three-year deal, he left the Cypriot club the following year.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com.