All Whites defender Kip Colvey has shocked Kiwi football fans after deciding to hang up his boots at the age of 24.
Colvey, who has 15 international caps, will walk away from the professional game when his current Major League Soccer contract with the Colorado Rapids expires on January 1.
Colvey told Stuff while there were multiple reasons behind his shock decision, losing his love for the game was the biggest factor and he now wants to pursue a career that is more financially stable.
"I know it might sound a little bit stuck-up that I'm giving up some opportunities that some people might give a lot to have, but it just doesn't make sense financially for me and that's the biggest reason, but there's a lot of reasons if I'm brutally honest," he said.
While some players in MLS earn millions in salary, Colvey was at the other end of the spectrum with an annual earning of $99,450, although he spent his three seasons struggling to make inroads into the main squad.
He only made seven appearances in his time at the San Jose Earthquakes and Rapids, instead spending most of his time on loan to clubs playing in the second-tier United Soccer League.
Colvey admitted he could see a future alternating his time between the USL and MLS while still earning caps for the All Whites, but there were "no guarantees" he could get to where he wanted to in the game going down that path.
Instead, Colvey is now hoping to become a physician's assistant and already has plans in place to study for four years at a university in Denver to make that goal a reality.
"It'll be hard knowing I'm walking away when I could have had more caps but that's part of the decision that I made.
"I'm really looking forward to enjoying other parts of my life, having given so much to the game ever since I went to high school. Even though I've only been a professional for a few years it's been fulltime for me for a lot more than that."
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