Keelan Williams, brother of Wales international Neco Williams, has been forced to retire from football at the age of 22 due to a heart condition. The defender, who came through the academy ranks at Liverpool and Burnley and captained the Wales youth side, has confirmed he is walking away from the sport.
Williams had a stint at Bala Town before joining Denbigh Town in 2024. However, his promising career has been held back by a serious heart condition, which has seen him undergo two open-heart surgeries and two pacemaker implant operations since the beginning of 2025.
Heart failure diagnosis
In a statement posted on Instagram, the 22-year-old said: "After 17 years of football, it's time for me to accept that my journey on the pitch has to come to an end. Unfortunately, due to my cardiac condition and everything I've been through, I've had to make the difficult decision to stop playing football."
He added: "Since the start of 2025 I've undergone two open-heart surgeries and two pacemaker implant surgeries, and unfortunately, my heart has been weakened therefore developed heart failure. The symptoms I'm experiencing on the pitch mean I can no longer play at the level I want to, and for the sake of my health, I have to put football aside."
Emotional farewell
Williams said it "kills him" to walk away from something which has been such a big part of his life. He said he has played football for 17 years at all different levels and has made memories he will always be grateful for, but he has to put his health first.
He stated: "I've played alongside and against some unbelievable players, met friends for life and most importantly, made memories I'll always be grateful for. But there's more to life than kicking a ball, and I have to put my health first. I've fought incredibly hard to get back on that pitch, but sometimes you have to listen to your body and accept what's best for you."
He added: "Maybe one day I'll return, and I'll never rule that out. But for now, I have to accept where I'm at and focus on my health and future. Football will always be a part of me no matter what."
Club tribute
Denbigh Town Football Club expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Keelan for his tremendous contribution to the club, wishing him well and stating that "the door will forever be open at Central Park". Williams joined the club in the summer of 2024 and made 42 appearances for Denbigh, netting six goals during his time there.
The club said: "A talented and much-loved teammate, Keelan's attitude, application and effort impressed at the club immediately, with his story touching all of us as he battled to get back on the pitch following two surgeries whilst with the club. Having spent time with Liverpool and Burnley at academy level before a spell at Bala Town, he arrived at the club without ego or entitlement, impressing coaches, players, volunteers and supporters with an outstanding outlook despite a high-profile beginning to his career that saw him captain Wales at youth level."
