'It's a massive blow': Northern Ireland international retires after suffering knee injury

Less than one month ago, Queen of the South confirmed Carson’s arrival alongside his appointment as goalkeeping coach.

However, the 38-year-old has now been forced to call time on his career having picked up an injury with the Scottish League One club saying he “has honourably informed the manager of his decision to step aside to give him time to source a replacement”.

Carson made over 450 club appearances across spells at the likes of Motherwell, St Mirren and had joined Queen of the South from Dundee.

He spent last season on loan at Ross County in the Scottish Championship and admitted his future was uncertain following his summer release.

Carson earned eight international caps for Northern Ireland and decided to extend his senior career beyond 20 years after agreeing a move to join former team-mate Clark.

“It is a massive blow to both Trevor and us that he has had to retire,” Clark told the club’s website. “He has had a great career and the experience he would have brought made him an unbelievable signing.

"I respect his honesty and appreciate him telling me now, it’s a blow but we need to move on.”

It appears Killyleagh native Carson will also move on from his coaching role with Queen of the South saying “everyone at the club wishes Trevor all the best for the future”.

In a post confirming his retirement, Carson thanked those who made his career possible and looked forward to the future.

"After 22 years, the time has come to call it a day on my playing career,” Carson posted on LinkedIn. “As a young boy, all I ever wanted to be when I grew up was a professional footballer.

"Never would I have imagined it would have took me on such a journey, nearly 500 career games, playing for my country, and memories that will stay with me for life.

"There’s been so many ups and downs along the way, all which have shaped me into the person I am now. There are so many people to thank.

"The managers who believed in me, and the rest of the backroom staff that helped me along the way. So many top team mates, many who i would now consider good friends.

"Most importantly though, my family. Especially my Granda. He drove me up and down the country from no age to allow me to chase my dream, and the proudest moment of my life was looking up at the stands and seeing him when I made my Northern Ireland debut at Windsor Park.

"I will never be able to repay him fully but hopefully moments like that will make up for some of it.

"To my mum, thank you for your unconditional love. No matter what football threw at us you were always there to support me.

"Rachel, thank you for sacrificing so much to follow me and allow me to chase my dream. You have stood by me through every high and low and I could have wished for a better partner.

"To my kids, thank you thank you for reminding me that football was never everything. Coming home to you both on a Saturday after a game, regardless of the result, instantly put things into perspective and made me think of what really matters.

"To my brothers and sisters for keeping my feet firmly on the ground. No matter where I was at in my career, you treated me exactly the same and I think every footballer needs people like that in their life. I did!

"‘When you know, you know’ is something I’ve heard many footballers say when they got to the end of their career, and I can relate to that.

"When one door shuts another opens, and I’m very excited to step over to the dark side and pass on my experiences to hopefully help others chase their dream. It’s been a pleasure.”