Swiss midfielder Silvan Wallner has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 22 as he wants to ‘follow Jesus Christ’ and honour Sabbaths.
The young defender, who made his professional debut with FC Zurich in 2020 has made over 100 appearances, playing for two more club, Wil, and BW Linz, which he signed a two-year deal with in September.
Wallner stated his reason for the early retirement in an official statement, he wrote: “I am a devout Christian and I read the Bible. I make my own decisions about my life.”
“I wish to follow Jesus Christ, and as a result, the biblical day of rest has become important to me.”
“As a footballer this means that I no longer want to play professionally on Saturdays.”
“This is my personal conviction, which I have reached in the last few days. I am not yet a member of any church.”
“I say a big thank you to all the people who have accompanied and supported me in my sporting career.”
