Liverpool’s Rylee Foster announced she will depart the club at the end of the season, stating she is “ready to show her worth to her next club on her journey” just over a year and a half after a serious car accident that looked to mark the end of her football career.
The 24-year-old joined Liverpool in January 2020 but was involved in a terrible car accident while visiting friends over an international break in October 2021. The Canadian suffered significant injuries, including seven fractures in her neck, and was told her football career was likely finished.
Last February, however, the keeper declared her pursuit of a sensational 12-month return to the Reds' competitive fold, including utilising an immobilising 'halo' to aid her efforts.
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Having described the prospect of a return to football as a “miracle” in 2022, Foster's emotional journey seemed to have hit a hugely encouraging milestone earlier this year as she was seen on social media back between the sticks in February, working with an individual coach.
Foster accompanied the video with the caption: “Back like I never left, and getting closer to being back with Liverpool in no time!” she wrote.
Nevertheless, Foster’s time at Liverpool has seemingly reached its end with the announcement she would be leaving the club upon the expiration of her contract in June.
In a post on social media, Foster wrote: “Dear Reds, it comes with immense pain and sadness to be leaving the club. It goes without saying that if it were my choice I would stay here for my entire career, but sadly that’s not the case, and the club has opted to not activate my one-year extension.
“Becoming a Red was a dream come true for me, it was something I prayed, dreamt and worked tirelessly for as a kid to get to this point.
“My accident has been my biggest challenge and a very uncertain moment. But I cannot express how thankful I am for the support from the club, my teammates and you Reds. You brought a smile to my face every weekend and the daily words of encouragement through social media did wonders.
“Painfully, I am no longer going to be a player for this remarkable club, but I will forever be a Red. You are all family and this will forever be my home. And I know I’ll never walk alone.
“The next steps for me are very positive. I am ready to play again, and ready to show my worth to the next club on my journey, showing the best of me is yet to be seen. I won’t let my injury define me.”
The club thanked Foster for her display of “strength, bravery and courage” in the face of adversity.
Liverpool Women return to action for the final time this season when they host title-chasers Manchester United on Sunday.
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