EXCLUSIVE: Jeremy Helan to retire at age of 24 to concentrate on religion

Sportsmail understands Helan is disillusioned with the game

The Sheffield Wednesday player was once dubbed the new Patrice Evra

His deal at Sheffield Wednesday expires at the end of the season

A Championship footballer has stunned his club by telling them he wants to retire from the game at the age of 24 to concentrate on religion.

Sheffield Wednesday midfielder and defender Jeremy Helan, who came through the ranks at Manchester City, informed stunned Hillsborough officials of his plans last week.

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Sportsmail understands the former France Under 19 international, once dubbed the new Parice Evra, has become disillusioned with the game and is intending to go to Saudi Arabia after reportedly spending increasing amounts of time at a mosque in the city.

Sheffield Wednesday's Jeremy Helan (left) has retired from football to focus on religion

Helan (right) informed Hillsborough officials of his plans to quit the game last week

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Helan’s contract does not expire until the end of the season and talks over his future remain ongoing.

The player, known to be a private man, did not wish to talk about his situation.

However, a source said: ‘It is the talk of the dressing room. Jeremy told them what he wanted to do last week. He said that he wanted to quit for Saudi to concentrate on religion after becoming more involved at a mosque in Sheffield. The club are a bit taken aback by it. They are working with him to come to some kind of agreement.’

It is understood associates are speaking to Helan over his decision, including some who believe he should continue with his career in the game.

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Helan was controversially signed by City at the age of 16 from Rennes in 2008. He decided against seeing out his contract with the French club and was suspended from international football for a month before compensation was agreed.

Helan made one appearance for City, coming off the bench in a League Cup tie, and had loan spells at Carlisle United, Shrewsbury Town and Sheffield Wednesday.

He joined the Owls permanently in 2013 and would go on to make 145 appearances for the club.

Last season, left-sided Helan was loaned to Wolverhampton Wanderers, for whom he played eight times before returning to Yorkshire to aide Wednesday’s play-off bid.

It is understood associates are speaking to Helan, including some who feel he should continue

Helan played for Wolverhampton Wanderers eight times on loan last season

He came on as a second-half substitute in the play-off final at Wembley, which ended in a 1-0 defeat to Hull City.

This season he has made just one appearance for the Owls, picking up a yellow card in a 2-1 League Cup loss at Cambridge United on August 9.

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Sheffield Wednesday declined to comment.