- Ryan Reynolds has paid tribute to Ben Foster after the Wrexham goalkeeper announced his retirement.The Hollywood actor and Wrexham co-owner wrote on Twitter: “He built memories I’ll never let go of for as long as I live. I love this guy. Thank you for everything, Ben.”Foster has added an explanation for his decision on his Instagram page, and said a heartfelt thank you you fans of the Welsh club.“I think the timing is right,” he said.“Sometimes you’ve just got to be brutally honest with yourself and just admit that you can’t really do what you use to do.“It’s a shame, but being 40 years old it’s kinda expected as well.“I feel like there have been four or five goals already that I should be saving, and it’s weird because goals have gone in and I’m thinking, ‘You should have saved that, how haven’t you saved that?’“That’s the reason I’m retiring.”
- However, he made a return to the game by signing for Wrexham towards the end of last season.
- Foster helped them secure promotion to League Two and has made 12 appearances since signing, but has now called it quits.
- His decision came after he conceded five in the 5-5 draw with Swindon on Saturday, making it 13 in just four league games this season.
- In a statement on Wrexham’s website, the 40-year-old said: “The honest truth is that my performances this season haven’t reached the level I demand of myself and I feel that now is the right time to retire.
- Manager Phil Parkinson said: “Ben has been the model professional while at Wrexham and has done everything we have asked of him.
- “It takes a big person to make the decision he has and one who really understands this Football Club, with the timing of his decision.
- “I am sure I speak for everyone, when thanking him for his contribution that went far beyond that one magnificent penalty save against Notts County to help us gain promotion last season.
- “Wrexham AFC was a better place for having Ben Foster around the Club.”
- Foster spent his youth career at Racing Club Warwick before signing for Stoke in 2001.
- He would go on loan at Bristol City, Tiverton Town, Stafford Rangers, Kidderminster Harriers and Wrexham during his time at the club United came calling in 2005 and he went on to make 23 appearances, winning two League Cup titles.
Foster joined Birmingham City in the 2010/11 and went on loan to West Brom in the following campaign before singing permanently.
He featured 223 times across eight seasons and was named as the club’s Supporters’ Player of the Season on four different occasions.
In 2018 he returned to Watford after initially going on loan there twice during his spell at United.
After four years at the club, he first announced his retirement from football following the expiration of his contract at the Hornets.
However, after rejecting a move to Newcastle, Wrexham announced his signing on a short-term contract in March,
Foster was key in their National League triumph and signed a new one-year deal in June, although he has now cut that short.
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