Former Huddersfield Town captain Tommy Smith has hung up his boots at the age of just 32. A ruptured Achilles back in October 2023 sidelined the Middlesbrough defender, leading to the difficult decision to retire from the sport after discussions with medical experts.

Smith's claim to fame came as skipper for the Terriers, taking them to Premier League glory in 2017 during a dramatic win at Wembley. He continued to lead Town in the top flight before later joining Stoke City, racking up a total of 353 professional appearances. Smith moved to the Riverside in 2022.

Reflecting on his career via the Boro website, Smith mentioned: "Unfortunately, after 15 months of extensive rehab and on the back of some really tough conversations with the medical team at Middlesbrough, along with the best foot and ankle consultant in the UK, I have now decided to retire from professional football. "

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He added: "I feel it’s important now for me to close this wonderful chapter of my life and look forward to what is next."

Reminiscing about his days at the John Smith's Stadium, Smith remarked: "To be able to lead Huddersfield out at Wembley in front of 80,000 people to contest a play-off final is without doubt one of the best moments of not only my football career, but my entire life. "

Smith is set to continue his rehabilitation with Championship promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough. He added: "Together with the staff at Middlesbrough, we've worked tirelessly to try to get my body to the level it needs to be at, but ultimately I've not progressed as we planned and I feel it's important now for me to close this wonderful chapter of my life and look forward to what is next.

"I've come a long way since being a little boy with big dreams, from starting out at Manchester City from age 11-20, to then spending seven years at Huddersfield, two of which playing in the greatest league in the world, the Premier League, a further three years at Stoke and finally three years at Middlesbrough."