Former Hearts midfielder Olly Lee has announced his retirement from football after being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and Raynaud's condition.
Lee spent three years at Tynecastle between 2018 and 2021 after being snapped up by Craig Levein from Luton Town on a three-year deal. Lee proved a popular addition after Hearts started the 2018-19 campaign on fire, winning their first five matches to go top of the league.
He was part of the squad that reached the Scottish Cup final that year, and helped Hearts back to Hampden in the delayed 2020 competition. He provided an assist as they beat city rivals Hibs as a Championship club, but they lost in the final against to Celtic, this time on penalties. His finest moment in maroon however, came in a New Year’s derby win at Easter Road in january 2019, hitting a stunning winner from distance with his weaker left foot.
The following season, Lee found himself down the pecking order and was keen to return south to be closer to family. He was loaned to Gillingham for the season before joining the Kent club on a permanent basis.
Afterseeing his gametime vastly reduce dover the last year due to his conditions, Lee announced today that he has been forced to hang up his boots. And he singled out Hearts for special praise in an emotional statement.
It read: "I can’t believe I am actually writing this, but having been diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis and Raynaud's condition over a year ago, I am now having to face the fact I can no longer continue my professional football career.
"I can no longer perform to the levels I know I am capable of, my body no longer allows it. This has been an extremely painful journey both mentally and physically. I have tried many medications over the last year, and many comebacks, but to no avail.
“I am thankful for the moments I have been fortunate enough to experience, and can now finally look back on my career with pride at what I did manage to achieve.
“I want to say a special thank you to my wife, Beth, for following me wherever football took us and never questioning it for a second, without your support I couldn’t have done any of it. To my kids, I wish you could have seen daddy play more but I won’t hesitate to get the clips out and I hope I will make you proud in the future. And to my family for guiding me and helping me in both the highs and the lows, I am forever grateful for you all.
“I am thankful for all the support from the fans at the clubs I was lucky enough to represent, particularly Luton and Hearts, two clubs that are now extremely close to my heart and I will always follow.
“A big thank you must go to Gillingham fans for always being great with me during my time at the club and particularly Manager Neil Harris and all staff behind the scenes for being so supportive during such a difficult period for myself.
“There are still tough days ahead but I am very lucky to have found my passion in coaching, and helping people which I am excited to dive into now.
“Although playing at the level is no longer part of my journey, it is now the fuel that drives me to help the next generation of players on their journey."
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