Hennessey made only nine appearances for Forest after signing on a free transfer from Burnley in 2022, with a serious Achilles tendon injury at the end of the 2023-24 season limiting his involvement.

Despite the lack of games, Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo offered Hennessey a new short-term contract in January 2025 until the end of the season. It is possible that Hennessey will stay with Forest by joining the backroom staff, but there has been no official confirmation of his first steps into coaching. “I have amazing memories of playing for both club and country,” Hennessey said.

“From my early days at Wolves to loan spells at Stockport and Yeovil, as well as stints with Crystal Palace, Burnley and Nottingham Forest, each club shaped me both on and off the pitch.

“Having been born and raised in North Wales, I’ve always wanted to play at the highest level. It was an honour to play in the Premier League and for my country more than 100 times.

“The summer of 2016 was the pinnacle of my career having made the FA Cup final with Palace and the semi-finals of the Euros with my beloved Wales.”

Hennessey made his senior international debut for Wales on May 26, 2007, in a 2-2 friendly draw against New Zealand, and his final cap came in October 2023, as a half-time substitute against Gibraltar in Wrexham.

He was instrumental in Wales qualifying for Euro 2016, the men’s team’s first major international tournament since the 1958 World Cup.

Hennessey missed Wales’ first game of the tournament, a 2-1 victory over Slovakia, due to a back spasm, but he started the remaining matches as Wales advanced to the semi-finals, defeating Belgium 3-1 in the quarterfinals before losing to Portugal.

He was also a member of the teams that competed in Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup; however, during the second group game against Iran, a 2-0 loss, Hennessey became only the third goalkeeper in World Cup history to be sent off, for a foul on Mehdi Taremi.

The loss of his veteran custodian dealt another blow to then-national manager Rob Page as Wales exited the group stage. Hennessey had previously faced controversy in his career, when he was charged by the Football Association with making an offensive gesture after being photographed in an Instagram post performing an alleged Nazi salute.

An independent regulatory commission found the charge unproven, with Hennessey claiming any resemblance to the gesture was “absolutely coincidental” and that he had no idea what a Nazi salute was, though the commission did say this was a “lamentable degree of ignorance”.

However, Hennessey’s eventful career has come to an end, and he is the last member of the Wales team that began the Euro 2016 semi-final against Portugal to retire. “It has been an honour to play alongside and against some sensational players while also working with some incredible managers, coaches, medical, media, and support staff,” Hennessey said, thanking his family and agent for their support.

“I also acknowledge the formidable bond of the goalkeepers‘ union, which I’ve experienced throughout my career: working together on a daily basis, supportive and encouraging regardless of who starts.

“Fans have been the backbone of support throughout my playing days, especially during the many times I suffered from injuries, I was able to draw so much strength from your support.

“”I also acknowledge the formidable bond of the goalkeepers’ union I’ve experienced throughout my career:  working together day-to-day, supportive and encouraging regardless who starts.

“Fans have been the backbone of support throughout my playing days, especially during the many times I suffered from injuries, I was able to draw so much strength from your support.”

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