Richards was forced to retire early
|
Former Tottenham and Southampton defender Dean Richards has received a record £2m insurance pay-out after having to retire early through illness.
Richards, 31, retired last March after doctors warned him he risked a brain haemorrhage if he continued to play.
He said: "The pleasure and fulfilment of being a professional footballer has left a huge gap, which no amount of money can compensate for.
"I appreciate it's a large sum and will secure my family's financial future."
Richards cost Spurs £8m when they signed him from Southampton and was once tipped for senior England honours.
The former Bradford star took out a policy with AON Ltd that covered him in the event of personal total disablement, arising because of accident or illness.
Richards' agent Richard Lambourne said: "Make no mistake, this is a substantial sum of money but we shouldn't forget that Dean had at least another five years left as a professional footballer.
"His earning capacity was potentially double that of his claim."
Home
MMIX
~RS~a~RS~Domestic~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~14~RS~){kind=small}
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
Match of the Day - Post-match interviews
