Former Liverpool and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland opens up about his battle with depression
Kirkland quit football after asking Bury to tear up his contract prior to the 2016-17 season, having joined a few months earlier
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former England and Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has revealed his battle with depression which led to his retirement.
The 36-year-old, whose career was hampered by injuries, contemplated suicide, but says thoughts of his wife Leeona and daughter Lucy kept him going.
And he quit football after asking Bury to tear up his contract prior to the 2016-17 season, having joined a few months earlier.
Kirkland told The Guardian: "I was worried how close I was to the next step. That's why I said: 'I need to stop playing football'."
Kirkland began his career with Coventry and also played for Wigan, West Brom, Leicester, Doncaster, Sheffield Wednesday and Preston. He was a member of the Liverpool squad which won the 2005 Champions League.
He added: "It's easy for me to talk about it now because I've seen a way out of it. That is the biggest thing and I want other people and other players to know that you've just got to talk.
"I never saw a way out of it until I started to talk about it. There was a fear. But as soon as you talk, that's when you're helping yourself and your family."
Kirkland, who made one England appearance in 2006, also reflected on what might have been had injuries not blighted his career.
He said: "I always wonder, and I can't help it, where I would have got to if I had been injury-free. My career could have been a lot better. When people say Chris Kirkland, they say: 'Always injured.' It's not like: 'Chris Kirkland; he won the Champions League."'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments