Former Wales international David Cotterill says he will devote his time to “helping others” following his decision to retire.
Cotterill – whose last professional club was Indian Super League team ATK – has decided to call time on his playing days at the age of 30.
The forward, who won 24 caps for Wales and was a non-playing squad member at Euro 2016, spoke recently about his experiences of depression and anxiety.
“The time feels right to hang up my boots after 14 years of playing professional football,” Cotterill said on his personal Twitter account.
“I have loved living out my childhood dream but now it is time to start a new chapter in my life, one that will be devoted to helping others.
“I want to say a special thank you to Brian Tinnion for my professional debut at Bristol City and the Welsh national team for presenting me with career-defining opportunities such as the Euros in 2016.”
Cotterill played over 400 games in a club career which took in spells at Bristol City, Wigan, Sheffield United, Swansea, Portsmouth, Barnsley, Doncaster and Birmingham City.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my years with all of my previous clubs, particularly winning the league with Doncaster, helping Swansea to a promotion and my time at Birmingham City which was one of my longest stints at a club.”
Cardiff-born Cotterill, who could play in central midfield or out wide, made his Wales debut in a 2-0 home win against Azerbaijan in October 2005.
He scored two international goals, one of them coming in a vital 2-1 victory over Cyprus which helped Wales qualify for Euro 2016.
But he recently spoke of his struggles off the field and in an interview with the BBC, he said: “When you’re around others the conversations are flowing and you tend to not have time to think about it, you’re looking forward to going out to train.
“But there would be times when I finished training and I couldn’t wait to go and lie in bed. I’d be there for hours.
“Particularly in the off-season, I’d just spend three or four days at a time not even eating, just thinking the worst things you can imagine and not actually sleeping at all. You’d stay there because you didn’t want to face the world.”
