Roberts, 29, has spent nearly a year in the treatment room while with the Saddlers suffering with back, knee and calf injuries.
Manager Chris Hutchings confirmed the players decision saying:
"Stephen has decided he's had enough with the amount of injuries since he's been at Walsall and we've come to an agreement where he's decided to call it a day.
It's a sad day for Roberts as a player and a person. We as Saddlers fans had not seen the best of a player who was previously a Doncaster Rovers captain. Roberts is a rising artist who has no doubt found his painting as great comfort during a difficult 15 months with Walsall.
Signed by Jimmy Mullen, had we managed to have a fit Stephen Roberts there is no doubt he would have been a great asset to our defence.
This season he was limited to starts in only two matches but again injury flared up.
Roberts forced to retire
Walsall defender Stephen Roberts has been forced to quit professional football after a failing to overcome a persistent back problem.
Last season Roberts managed 19 appearances as he was battling with injuries. His only goal in a Saddlers shirt came in the 3-1 away win at Bristol RoversI suspect the player will reflect more fondly on his playing career pre-Walsall and there he served Doncaster and Wrexham to great ability and left Doncaster having played his part in helping Doncaster achieve promotion to the Championship.
Stephen Roberts (Walsall) Information | |||
Date of birth | Sunday, 24th February 1980 | Height | 6.2 |
Place of birth | Wrexham, Wales | Weight | 11.6 |
Nationality | Wales | Position | Defence |
Comments | Squad No. | 4 |
Recent Career History By Club (1999 onwards) | ||||||
Team | Debut | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds | |
09 Aug 2008 | 21 (0) | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
06 Aug 2005 | 73 (19) | 1 | 7 | 1 | ||
163 (8) | 7 | 13 | 2 | |||
Recent Career History By Season (1999 onwards) | ||||||
Season | First App. | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds | |
11 Aug 2009 | 2 (0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
09 Aug 2008 | 19 (0) | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
04 Sep 2007 | 22 (7) | 0 | 3 | 1 | ||
05 Aug 2006 | 23 (7) | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
06 Aug 2005 | 28 (5) | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
07 Aug 2004 | 41 (1) | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||
30 Sep 2003 | 27 (3) | 0 | 2 | 1 | ||
10 Aug 2002 | 43 (0) | 3 | 4 | 0 | ||
08 Sep 2001 | 27 (0) | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
12 Aug 2000 | 7 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
16 Oct 1999 | 18 (3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Appearances 257 (+ 27 as sub); Goals 9; Yellow cards 21; Red cards 3 |