Former Swansea and Fulham defender Alfie Mawson retires from football due to injury at the age of 29

Wycombe defender Alfie Mawson has announced his retirement from football because of a knee problem.

The 29-year-old played in the Premier League for Swansea and Fulham and was called up once by England in 2018 but has been increasingly troubled by knee pain.

Mawson first made his mark on loan at Wycombe from Brentford in 2014-2015 and rejoined the Chairboys last summer, with his final appearance coming against Ipswich in December.

Having impressed during his loan spell at Adams Park eight years ago, he was snapped up by Barnsley and helped to guide the Tykes to promotion from League One the following year. 

His rapid ascent continued as he was then snapped up by Swansea City – then of the Premier League – and went on to make 71 appearances for the Swans while he also established himself in the England Under 21 side.

Wycombe defender Alfie Mawson has announced his retirement because of a knee problem

The 29-year-old played in the Premier League for both Fulham (left) and Swansea City (right)

Following Swansea’s relegation from the top flight in 2018, Fulham snapped up the defender for a fee reported to be £20m.

However, he fell out-of-favour at the club after his first two seasons and spent time on loan at Bristol City, before leaving the Cottagers at the end of last season.

The centre-back played 13 times for Wycombe this campaign, but in total he has featured only 30 times across the past three seasons as he has struggled with injury. 

After the decision was announced, Mawson told Wycombe’s official website: ‘It might come as a shock to some people but, to me, it’s been coming for a while.

‘I had some time off around Christmas after feeling some pain in my knee and the pain hasn’t gone away. I went for a scan and unfortunately the damage was done.

‘It’s devastating, but it’s how life goes. I was nearly in this situation in the summer, and I’d fallen out of love with the game. 

‘I think, if I’d retired then, I wouldn’t have wanted to even watch football again. But coming back here has made me fall back in love with it.

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth outlined his pride at working with Mawson during his career

Mawon (R) was extremely popular with Wycombe fans after a previous loan spell with the club

‘I knew this day was going to come – it’s just sooner than I had hoped. But there’s a lot worse things going on in the world and that makes you realise that, at the end of the day, it’s a job.’

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth praised Mawson and was delighted to have played a role in his career as he said: ‘I’m immensely proud to have worked with Alfie at the start and now what has sadly proved to be the end of his playing career, and what a journey he has had.

‘We always knew in those early days that he had the ability and the character to be able to play at the highest level, and he worked so hard to achieve his dream.’

Wycombe will celebrate Mawson’s career when the Blues take on his former club Barnsley at Adams Park on March 18.