Former Motherwell and St Mirren defender Ellis Plummer has been forced into early retirement, at the age of just 25.

The ex-Man City kid has been hampered by injuries and missed almost a full year of football while he was still on the books at Fir Park.

A hamstring issue plagued him then after a groin injury ruled him out for a three-month spell at St Mirren.

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But now, on his 25th birthday, the England under 16s and 17s starlet has accepted retirement.

And he insists he's ready to settle his life down with his family and friends - to allow him to find success via a different avenue.

Posting on social media, Plummer wrote: "Today on my 25th birthday finally feels like the right moment to publicly announce my retirement from professional football due to medical advice. 

"I never envisaged being forced into retirement at 25 but after years of battling injury the time has come to listen to my body and put my health first. 

"I was simply meant to have a different path to success, a path that I have already begun. 

"I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me in my career but especially my fiancé, family, agents and friends who've picked me up from my lowest and given me the strength to bounce back time and time again and become the man I am today. 

"I have dedicated most of my life to football but since stepping away from the game I have no doubt I've become a better fiancé, father, brother and son. 

"I will be eternally grateful for the special moments and experiences football has given me in my short career but I can honestly say I have now come to terms with retirement and I'm truly embracing the next chapter of my life."

Plummer also counts Stockport County and Oldham Athletic among his former clubs.