Promising Wolves academy goalkeeper Daniel Wright has had to quit football because of a heart problem.

The 17-year-old Northern Ireland youth international, who had enjoyed an impressive first-team debut in the pre-season friendly with Port Vale, underwent an ECG after suffering chest pains.

He has now been told that it is too risky to continue playing, due to an irregularity with his heart.

Wright is shattered by the news – but admits he is at least relieved the problem has been discovered and that there is still the chance he could carve a career in coaching in the future.

It was while playing for the academy during their Gothia Cup success in Sweden last month that the symptoms of the condition first materialised.

He said: “I was doing well in Sweden, but during the quarter-final I came off with chest pains, so I didn’t play in the semi-final or final. That was gutting, but it was a case of better safe than sorry.

“When I came home I went for an ECG, it looked like all was OK and that I could carry on training and playing.

“I then made my first-team debut at Port Vale on the Wednesday night and felt fine. But I came back, felt it again in training and went for another ECG and scan, which has told me I can’t play again because there’s a risk of going into cardiac arrest.

“It’s just too dangerous if I was to get hit in the chest.  As much as football has been so important, I’m glad to have found out this way rather than the hard way.

“It’s disappointing, but you have to realise that there is more to life than football.”