Forward ends career on advice from surgeon
Striker Danny Cadamarteri has today announced his retirement from the professional game under advice from his surgeon following an injury to his knee.
Cadamarteri, 34, signed for the Cumbrians on a two-year deal in the summer of 2012 and scored two goals in his 28 appearances for the club.
“The last year or so has been a nightmare for Danny,” manager Graham Kavanagh said. “He hasn’t been involved at all since I took over and I know he felt very frustrated about that.
“This is something we had an idea was coming our way for a while, and we’ve looked for opinions and second opinions on his injury, because we all wanted to give him every chance of getting his knee right.
“Unfortunately we haven’t been able to do that and it has been devastating for him. I’ve seen how hard he has worked behind the scenes and he’ll be the first to tell you he hasn’t played anywhere near as much football as he wanted to for this club.
“It’s been a difficult period for all parties but he has completely supported me and he has always been there for the lads. That’s something I will always appreciate. He’s been at a lot of our games, he’s a real character in the dressing room and he’s been a credit to himself through what has obviously been a tough time.”
“It’s never nice when somebody’s career comes to an end in this way and we all genuinely wish him all the best,” he added. “We’ve done our level best to look after him as he’s gone through this situation and, fair play to him, he’s stuck by us in return.
“It’s sad for him that he has had to announce this but I think he’s the type of person who will look to move on, with his energy and drive, as quickly as possible. He’s taken a few tentative steps towards a career in coaching and I think he knows we are here to give him any help and assistance he needs going forward.”
Yorkshire-born forward Cadamarteri joined United following his release from Huddersfield Town. He started his career at the Everton academy and made his debut for the Toffees in a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea during the 1996/97 campaign.
He enjoyed spells with Bradford City, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Leicester City and Dundee United and left the Terriers after his second spell at that club at the end of 2011/12 season. He made three appearances for the England U21 side between 1998 and 2001.
We’ll be talking to Danny Cadamarteri about the announcement, and about what comes next, later this week.
