An emotional Tommy Smith announced his retirement from football as he finally accepted defeat in his attempts to make a comeback from his Achilles injury.

The 32-year-old was a key player in the Boro side that Michael Carrick guided to the Championship play-offs in 2023. However, just three months into the next season he suffered a ruptured Achilles that required surgery and has kept him sidelined since.

The defender has been working incredibly hard over the last 18 months to try and make a return, but says advice from experts leave him with no choice but to end his playing career. In a classy gesture from Boro, they will allow him to remain at the club to complete his rehab, making use of the club’s medical experts and facilities.

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Penning an emotional statement published on the club website, Smith wrote: “When I ruptured my Achilles on 23 October 2023 I had full belief and confidence that I would come back fitter and stronger than I was before. 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.

“To even think about not playing the sport that I have only ever done for pretty much my whole life is something that has been incredibly difficult to take. 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.

“The journey of being a football player is like no other. Ever since I was a boy it’s all I ever wanted to do. Looking back on my 15 years as a professional, it fills me with enormous pride and while it’s very emotional coming to terms with this decision, I can’t help but smile at the outcome, the amazing people I’ve met, the special memories I’ve made and everything I’ve achieved in the game.”

Smith was a free-agent signing for Boro back in the summer of 2022. Initially signed by Chris Wilder, he showed incredible patience during a trial period at the club, with Boro unable to offer him a contract until Djed Spence was sold to Tottenham. Initially a backup to Isaiah Jones at wing-back, he rose to prominence in a Boro short when Wilder was sacked and Carrick’s arrival brought about a change in formation.

In a statement thanking many people important to him and also past clubs, he said of Boro: “To everybody at Middlesbrough. Firstly the physios, doctors and coaching staff for your relentless support and efforts to help me during this injury. To every other single member of staff that I have the pleasure of working with and seeing on a daily basis, who make it a work place you enjoy being a part of and who have continued to be positive and supportive towards me every single day during this tough period. You’ve all no idea how much I appreciate you.

“A special mention must go to the Chairman Steve Gibson, Neil Bauser, Kieran Scott and Michael Carrick for their continued understanding, support, patience and backing throughout this whole process. And to all of the players in the changing room who I admire and respect enormously. I have huge faith and belief in you all as players and people to go on and achieve what you want to moving forward.”

Starting out in Manchester City’s academy, Smith would eventually join Huddersfield Town, initially as an under-21, before graduating into their first-team and making 200 appearances, including 42 in their Premier League promotion-winning season. After two years in the top flight with the Terriers, he then had three years at Stoke City before his move to Teesside.

“I’ve come a long way since being a little boy with big dreams, from starting out at Manchester City from age 11-20,” Smith’s statement continued. “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.

“In total I made 353 career appearances and I could not have wished for four better football clubs to be part of my footballing journey. I’m eternally grateful for the love and support from everyone connected to all four. To the club owners I’ve played for, the managers and coaches I’ve played under, all the players I’ve played alongside and to all the fans who’ve supported myself and the teams I’ve represented over the years through thick and thin. Thank you all.

“Given the success both individually and collectively during my time at Huddersfield, I must say I feel totally indebted to two people in particular who I don’t think I will ever be able to thank enough, Dean Hoyle and David Wagner. You both changed my life. 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. Closely followed by becoming club captain of Huddersfield and making my Premier League debut against Crystal Palace back in 2017. These are moments I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

What Smith plans to do in retirement is at this stage unknown. He was taking his coaching badges along with other Boro team-mates at the club, but while doing his rehabilitation this season he has also worked many games as a pundit for Sky Sports, most recently on Monday evening for Boro’s clash with Sunderland.