'Leeds is a place I will forever call home': Leeds United favourite Stuart Dallas announces retirement and thanks Marcelo Bielsa among others

The Northern Ireland international, a hugely popular player and dressing-room figure during his time at Elland Road, has been sidelined suffering a femoral fracture during the Premier League game against Manchester City almost two years ago on April 30, 2022.

Despite the best efforts of Dallas to return to the first-team fold, which has seen him work extensively alongside medical and rehabilitation staff at Thorp Arch after embarking on the long road to recovery following surgery, he has been unable to make a return to playing and has now taken the decision to retire.

Dallas, moved to Leeds in August 2015 from Brentford, joining up with his ex-Bees manager Uwe Rosler.

He made his United debut in the 1-1 Championship draw with Burnley at Elland Road and made over 250 appearances for United where he thrived during the Marcelo Bielsa era in particular.

During his time at Leeds, Dallas was also a vital cog for Northern Ireland and helped them secure a place at first ever European Championships at Euro 2016.

Sign up to our new Sports Editor’s TeamTalk newsletter available this week

Penning an open letter to announce his retirement, Dallas wrote: “Today, with a heavy heart, I announce that I will be retiring from professional football.

"Over the past two years, the Leeds United medical team have worked tirelessly to help me recover from the injury I sustained in the game against Manchester City in 2022.

"Sadly, despite their best efforts, and my body not progressing how we need it to, I must now accept the fact that my knee suffered irreparable damage and I will not be returning to play professional football. I am of course devastated by this news.

"As a young boy growing up in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, all I ever wanted was to play professional football and I will be eternally grateful that for me, that dream came true.

"This may not be how fairytales are supposed to end, but I must now deal with the fact that this chapter of my life is drawing to a close.

"I’ve been fortunate to work with some outstanding managers, but two in particular I want to pay special thanks to are Marcelo Bielsa and Michael O’Neill. Marcelo’s incredible coaching helped me improve not just as a player, but as a person off the pitch too.

"Premier League football seemed a million miles away at times, but he made this all possible.

"These were simply the greatest years of my career and I created memories that I’ll cherish forever.

"To my team mates over the years, nationally and domestically, there are too many to mention but you know who you are, friends for life.

"A special mention must go to Liam Cooper, who I’ve been with since I first walked through the doors at Thorp Arch many years ago."My final thanks must go to you, the Leeds United fans. Your passion and love for this team and city is what makes Leeds so special.

"You really are the 12th man."