Former England defender Conor Coady has announced his retirement - a year on from nearly joining Rangers.

Coady was a transfer target for Rangers under Russell Martin in the summer of 2025 after leaving Leicester City, but instead move to English Championship side Wrexham.

The 33-year-old started his career at Liverpool, coming through the youth ranks to make two senior appearances, before spells at Huddersfield, Wolves, Everton, Leicester, Wrexham and then a loan stint with Charlton last season.

Coady, who captained Wolves and made 317 appearances for the Molineux club, admitted in an emotional post on Instagram it was a tough decision, but which came at the right time.

“Eight clubs, 503 appearances, two promotions, a World Cup and a Euros, 10 England caps, football is my life, it always has been, but everything at some point always comes to an end,” he said.

“I never ever thought playing for Wolves in Europe or going with England to a World Cup this day would come, but honestly, the last couple of years have been tough, not playing as much as I would have liked I have struggled with, as I live for playing footie.

“The truth is I am ready now. I have given football everything and I will continue to do so in my next chapter.”

Coady won 10 senior caps for England and went to the Euro 2020 and World Cup 2022 finals.

Meanwhile, Championship strugglers Preston have signed former Rangers midfielder Greg Docherty on a deal to the end of the season.

The 30-year-old midfielder, who has previously played for Hibs among others, was a free agent after leaving Charlton in the summer and has been training with Preston for the past two weeks, playing for their under-21s in a 1-0 Premier League Cup win over Fleetwood.

Preston boss Graham Alexander, seeking to guide North End off the foot of the table, said: “We’re really pleased to bring Greg in. He’s been a captain, won promotions and knows the game inside out.

“Greg’s vocal, fit and motivated, which are all the key things you look for in a professional footballer. He has settled into the group really quickly and has a real willingness to show what he can do.”