Former Town midfielder Tristan Nydam has announced his retirement from professional football aged 22 due to the ankle injury he suffered during pre-season ahead of the start of the 2019/20 season.

The academy product broke an ankle and damaged ligaments in the friendly at Notts County and returning to the first team as a sub in the MK Dons home match in April last year, never fully recovered.

Zimbabwe-born, Colchester-raised Nydam joined Town as a nine-year-old and went on to make 14 senior starts and eight sub appearances before being released last summer.

In addition, he was capped by England at U18 and U19 levels and spent a spell on loan in Scotland with St Johnstone.

Nydam, who also operated as a left-back, broke the news of his decision to retire via a statement on social media.

Photo: TWTD

Gforce added 20:31 - Mar 20 Always So unfortunate with injuries.With better luck might well have made the grade.Best wishes for the future Tristan,maybe start those coaching badges and who knows you might end up the next Keiran Mckenna !
15

ringwoodblue added 20:35 - Mar 20 Gutted for the lad. Hope he finds another worthwhile career where he can be happy and successful.
18

DaGremloid added 20:52 - Mar 20 Sad. Wish him all the best and hope the club won't completely sever ties with him but give him any help and advice he needs going forward. Good luck for the future, Tristan.
15

BlueandTruesince82 added 21:03 - Mar 20 Sad, don't know how far he could have gone but could have at the very least been a good pro at Championship/League 1 level
9

budgieplucker added 21:12 - Mar 20 That is really sad news. Out of Dozzell, Downes and Bishop he was the best all round footballer, very versatile and could have comfortably played full back left mid, centre mid and probably could have played holding midfield. I was gutted for the lad when he was released but assumed it was more down to the longer term implications of his injury rather than his talent. Could have become another Sam Morsy had he not have been so unlucky. I genuinely hope the lad finds a suitable career, never once did he let the fact that he was a professional footballer go to his head. Good luck Tristan.

12

ScottCandage added 21:21 - Mar 20 So sad. I rated him above Downes. Best of luck to you.
4

Suffolkboy added 22:01 - Mar 20 This is SAD news,but maybe not entirely unexpected ? From what we saw , TN was a disciplined dedicated footballer who applied himself intelligently and diligently with more than a little talent and flare . It's a very very young age to have your ambitions thwarted and to find a new future has to be forged . Every sympathy , every good wish ; let's hope Lady Luck looks down on you favourably and success comes your way ! COYB

8

Cakeman added 22:05 - Mar 20 Such a shame and life just doesn't seem fair at times. He has age on his side to hopefully find another career he would like. All the very best Tristan.
8

allezlesbleus added 22:17 - Mar 20 Sad news. A very talented young player who I had high hopes for, until his bad injury. I wish him all the best for the future.
8

Pessimist added 04:19 - Mar 21 So sad. I loved to watch you for Town, and I felt convinced you would go on to better things. Maybe you will? Follow the lead of Kieran McKenna who also had to retire at 22, and concentrate instead on a coaching career. I feel sure that Ipswich would give you a guiding hand with this, and it is the very least you deserve.
5

Dissboyitfc added 06:57 - Mar 21 so sad, really gutted for the lad! I hope, having to retire early himself that KM puts some time aside to have a chat with him. Good luck Tristan!
5

KiwiBlue2 added 07:31 - Mar 21 A great pity. I recall Cook praising Tristan's attitude then letting him go, presumably because of the implications of his injury. At least he can say he played for his country at age group level and played in the Championship and never looked out of place. In my opinion he had the talent to develop further and eke out a very good career. So disappointed to see it end in this way. I look forward to hearing about him having success in a new career as he certainly had a great attitude and considerable skill in football. Onwards and upwards Tristan.......

5

Bazza8564 added 09:24 - Mar 21 I watched the game last season when he got back into the side and I thought the lad looked bright. I was extremely disappointed when he was on Cooks hit list, his injury meant his chances of finding another club were almost nil, and this announcement inevitable. Its pure speculation but I just wonder what would have happened had he stayed, nursed himself back to fitness with the support of the Town medical team, and had another crack at it. I hope i'm way off the mark here, but I dont think Cook's cull did this guy any favours. I hope this lad goes on to great things, Kiaran McKenna retired at 22 and look where he is now. I hope we do something to support him.....

3

grubbyoik added 09:35 - Mar 21 Lovely balanced tenacious player.. its such a shame after MM left he was managed by Hurst and Lambert.. just shows you how a bad manager can have such a detrimental effect on a good players career.
1

SouperJim added 10:03 - Mar 21 Such a terrible shame, looked a bigger prospect than Downes for me at the point of his injury. Hope he can get into coaching or something else within the game.
2

Ipswichbusiness added 10:12 - Mar 21 A terrible shame as he had the makings of a decent football player. However, all is not lost. As others have pointed out our manager had to retire at a similar age through injury and he has had a good career in the game.
4

ghostofescobar added 10:35 - Mar 21 Oh my word, that's tough, at such a young age. All the best to you Tristan. You deserve a bit of luck, whether you do something within the world of football or away from the game.
2

TimmyH added 10:42 - Mar 21 Wow! that's really sad...he looked like a prospect. Wish him all the best in his endeavours on whatever he does next!
3

Linkboy13 added 10:56 - Mar 21 It's always sad when a player has to retire through injury but at 22 that's just unbearably painful for the young man. Ive seen lots of young players who through lack of dedication waste their careers away hope this sends out a message to them. In the meantime hope he finds happiness in what ever career he ends up in.
1

algarvefan added 12:28 - Mar 21 Heartbreaking for the lad, I thought at one stage he had a very bright future at Town, loved his commitment and energy and skill. Good luck son, maybe look to coaching, or even a fresh start at something else, time is on your side.
1

itfchorry added 13:30 - Mar 21 All the best for your future - such a shame
1

backwaywhen added 14:15 - Mar 21 Sad but I think he has the right attitude to move on and achieve other goals in the game , was one of my favourite youngsters when he was coming through the rank . Think positive young man and other dreams will come true .
1

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