Kalvin Phillips has hailed Fabian Delph after the former Leeds United midfielder announced his retirement on Tuesday.
Delph has been in a tricky situation since the end of last season.
The 32-year-old managed just 11 Premier League appearances for Everton last season and was released at the end of his contract.
Injuries have piled up for Delph during his time at Everton, limiting him to just 35 Premier League outings in three seasons.
That meant nobody took the plunge and signed Delph as a free agent, leaving him without a club two months into the new season.
Kalvin Phillips has hailed Fabian Delph
Delph has now decided to call time on his career, hanging up his boots less than two months before he turns 33.
Delph can absolutely be proud of a great career.
Emerging at Leeds United, Delph showed great potential in his early days and became a Premier League regular as many predicted.
The Bradford lad became a Premier League champion – twice – with Manchester City and played for England at the 2018 World Cup.
Always well-respected in the game, Delph can now take the next step; whether that’s scouting, coaching, punditry, putting his feet up for a well-earned rest or going into something completely different.
The plaudits have been raining in for Delph with his former teammates taking to Instagram to send him congratulatory messages on a great career.
Kalvin Phillips – who has some parallels with Delph having come through with Leeds, joined Manchester City and featured for England – was there in the comments.
Phillips called Delph a ‘legend’ whilst wishing him the best for his post-playing days.
Other former Leeds players joined in too with Bradley Johnson claiming it was a ‘pleasure’ to play alongside Delph with the Whites.
Robert Snodgrass also praised Delph for a ‘top career’ with the former Leeds man clearly loved by those with ties to the Elland Road club.
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