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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Shot-stopper hanging up his gloves</li><li>Took in 12 appearances for the Dragons</li><li>Bows out at 40 years of age</li></ul>

‘It was a shock’ – Ben Foster retirement stunned Wrexham team-mates as Luke Young salutes ‘honest’ decision from veteran goalkeeper

League One

Wrexham

Lincoln City

The veteran goalkeeper has, despite signing a 12-month contract in North Wales, opted to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ben-foster-retires-five-games-wrexham-season-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney/blt6c2f7a2e189ec6d1" target="_blank">hang up his gloves just five games into the 2023-24 campaign</a>. That decision has been taken at 40 years of age and with the ex-England international having stepped out of retirement when <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ben-foster-how-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-used-whatsapp-group-convince-stay-wrexham/blt1c267b906549d0aa" target="_blank">answering an SOS call from Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney</a> in March.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Foster is walking away because he no longer <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/love-ryan-reynolds-thanks-ben-foster-goalkeeper-retirement-wrexham/bltcabe761767bf3a2c" target="_blank">feels as though he can compete at a Football League level</a>, with Wrexham struggling to plug defensive leaks at the start of the current campaign. He bids farewell to the Dragons with plenty of happy memories, having helped them to promotion last term, and has the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ben-foster-wrexham-stunned-louis-lloyd-statement-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney/bltecb08c9a2c9f7d1c" target="_blank">full support of those that he has been competing alongside</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Wrexham skipper Young has said of seeing Foster call time on his distinguished career: “It was a shock. His decision came all of the sudden and one I wasn’t expecting. But it’s a sign of what a great bloke he is and fair play to him for being so honest. I won’t forget him and who will ever forget that penalty save against Notts County? I’d just like to wish him all the best in what he does in the future with his podcast and cycling.”

WHAT THEY SAID

Foster made just 12 appearances for Wrexham in total, having previously spent time on loan with the Dragons in the early stages of his career, and is now free to focus on his interests away from the football field.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

‘It was a shock’ – Ben Foster retirement stunned Wrexham team-mates as Luke Young salutes ‘honest’ decision from veteran goalkeeper | Goal.com US

Wrexham captain Luke Young admits that Ben Foster’s sudden retirement call came as “a shock” to his team-mates at SToK Racecourse.