Former Man Utd star and Premier League winner announces retirement amid plans for shock switch to new sport

PREMIER LEAGUE winner Danny Simpson has announced his retirement from football.

Simpson, 37, made the announcement late on Friday evening.

The defender played with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United after coming through the academy.

However, he is best known for his contribution as a stalwart right-back during Leicester’s title win in 2016 under Claudio Ranieri.

His retirement announcement comes after SunSport exclusively revealed shock talks for him to switch sports into boxing amid talks with KSI‘s Misfits promotion.

Simpson’s statement read: “It’s the day every footballer knows will come around eventually and the one nobody wants to happen but it’s time to announce my retirement from the game we all love so much.

“Whilst it’s a day I never wanted to come and it’s been a while since I played I know it’s time to hang up my boots and concentrate on other projects.

“I have so much to be grateful for, football has given me so much and I need to say thank you to so many people. My friends, my team-mates and my family who all had to put up with me LOL. Thank you.”

Simpson described being picked up by Man Utd and playing with Rooney and Ronaldo as “beyond my wildest dreams”.

He reserved special praise for the astonishing 5000/1 achievement of Leicester winning the title.

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Simpson added: “When I look back at my career the obvious highlight will be the unforgettable time time with Leicester City when we achieved what almost everyone felt was impossible. 5000/1 odds and we did it. 

“Winning the 2016 Premier League title was everything. The camaraderie that still exists with that team will be with us forever.

“Vichai built something very special at Leicester and to be on that journey and bring Champions League football to the city was special.”

Simpson played just eight times for Man Utd – with loans to Royal Antwerp, Sunderland, Ipswich and Blackburn – before he was sold to Newcastle in 2010 following a fifth loan move.

After three years, Simpson was signed as a free agent by Queens Park Rangers before he was signed by Leicester one year later.

Simpson remained with the Foxes until 2019, playing 133 games in all competitions.

Simpson then signed for Huddersfield before he was released in July 2020.

He had to wait until March 2021 before Bristol City signed him on a short-term contract that was then ripped up in March 2022 by mutual consent.

His final club were non-league Macclesfield, whom he signed for in December 2023.

Simpson would not be the first star to complete a switch to Misfits, with Rooney previously considering a switch under the brand.

Curtis Woodhouse played in the Prem but switched to boxing in 2006 despite having no amateur background.

He had 31 pro bouts – even winning the English and British light-welterweight titles – while playing football part-time.

Woodhouse’s last fight was in 2017 beating renowned and celebrated journeyman Lewis van Poetsch.

Leon McKenzie was another to have played in the English top-flight for the likes of Crystal Palace and Norwich.

McKenzie is the son of British and European title holder Clinton and nephew of three-time world champ Duke.

So after his playing days stopped in 2013, he also moved into boxing making his super-middleweight debut that year.

Eddie Hearn‘s Matchroom Boxing currently have former Accrington Stanley midfielder Paddy Lacey signed.

Lacey still plays for Welsh top-tier side Flint Town United but is 10-0 as a middleweight boxer.

Despite the successful switches – it does not work out for everyone.

Rio Ferdinand infamously tried to turn pro aged 39 but was denied a British Boxing Board of Control licence in 2018.

Ferdinand’s former team-mates Wes Brown and Simpson both train at the same Punchline Boxing Gym in Macclesfield.

Simpson has been in boxing training as far back as 2020 with an eye now on a debut bout.