Thomas Beattie: Former footballer becomes second British player to come out as gay

Thirty-three-year-old represented Hull City’s youth team before playing in the US, Canada and Singapore

Thomas Beattie, 33, has come out as gay (@iamthomasbeattie via Instagram)

Former footballer Thomas Beattie has become just the second ever male professional player from the UK to come out as gay.

Beattie, 33, represented Hull City at youth level before going on to play in the United States, Canada and Singapore.

Beattie, who played as a midfielder, wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday: “It’s time to share something very personal to me.

“It’s easier to sit in silence but the real challenge is to speak up and for me it’s time [to] live my truth and hopefully [effect] change in some way.

“I am a brother, son, friend and I’m gay.

“It took me a long time to accept who I am and I hope it is a little easier for the next generation.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this process and the journey to come, I appreciate you.”

The Yorkshireman’s announcement comes 30 years after Justin Fashanu became the first openly gay British professional footballer.

Aside from Beattie and Fashanu, the only other male footballers to come out publicly after playing in Britain are former Germany international Thomas Hitzlsperger and former US international Robbie Rogers.

Hitzlsperger played for West Ham, while Rogers represented Leeds United.