37% ejection fraction: Keelan Williams retires from football at 22 after heart complications

Keelan Williams, 22, has retired from professional football following a diagnosis of stage one heart failure that limited his ability to perform at a competitive level. The former Liverpool and Burnley academy prospect announced the decision after exhausting medical options, including two open-heart surgeries and two pacemaker implants.

Williams was first identified as having a bicuspid aortic valve at age 15. This congenital condition means the heart valve has two flaps instead of the standard three. He discovered the anomaly during a routine check-up before a Wales Under-16s trip, a precautionary measure that saved him from potential undetected issues later in his career.

He continued his development in the Liverpool academy until age 16, then moved to Burnley while representing Welsh youth teams up to the under-19 level. In January 2024, he signed with Bala Town in the Cymru Premier. By the end of that year, a routine examination revealed his valve leak had worsened, requiring surgical intervention.

In January 2025, Williams underwent valve-sparing aortic root replacement surgery and a dual-chamber pacemaker implantation. Complications arose immediately after the procedure, resulting in an 11-day stay in intensive care where he was treated for sepsis, a collapsed lung, and respiratory failure. A second, successful operation took place in September 2025.

Despite the second surgery, Williams struggled to regain his previous form. He described feeling out of breath and his legs becoming heavy during sprints on the pitch. He initially attributed these symptoms to a lack of fitness following major surgery, but tests confirmed he had heart failure with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 37%. A healthy adult range is between 50% and 70%.

Williams began taking five daily medications to manage his condition and received an upgraded pacemaker. Two months later, an echocardiogram showed his ejection fraction had improved only to 38%. This minimal change led to his decision to stop playing. He stated that he could not continue physically with how he felt.

His older brother, Neco Williams, remains a professional player and serves as a Wales international. Keelan said Neco's success helps him adjust to life away from the game. He described his brother as the best full-back in the Premier League, a fact that provides him with motivation during his transition.

The entire Williams family underwent testing for the same heart condition, and no other members showed signs of it. Williams now attends regular clinics for heart failure, cardiology, and pacemaker care. He plans to continue his medical routine while living with the complications of his condition.

He urges players at all levels of the sport to seek out heart check-ups, even if their clubs do not offer them. He noted that top-tier clubs often provide routine screenings, but those with fewer resources might not. His advice is to get checked to be on the safe side and to find any issues as soon as possible.

Williams said he treasures the support from family, friends, and social media. He described the backing as something he does not take for granted, noting that it would be much more difficult to adjust without it. He views his retirement as a setback to be managed, similar to other challenges in football, by looking at the positives.