Exclusive: Joe Morrell considering move abroad after injury hell

Joe Morrell is considering a move abroad so he can resurrect his career after an injury nightmare, SportsBoom understands.

The Welsh international has not played for for almost 600 days since a horror career-threatening knee injury in January 2024.

He had a trial at Reading, where he played 60 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly and spent time at Plymouth Argyle but failed to land a contract at either League One outfit this summer. 

At the time, Pilgrims’ boss Tom Cleverley said: “It's someone who I massively respect, great career, and showed his qualities. We didn't end up progressing with anything there but wish him all the best.”

And after struggling to find a club in the UK this summer, our sources understand Morrell is now open to leaving the country in order to get his career back on track. 

Desperate to Play

Due to his knee injury Portsmouth, a club Morrell called his “home in football”, released him at the end of their League One title-winning campaign.

Pompey helped the midfielder, who made 100 appearances for the club, through his rehab but they have explicitly ruled out a dramatic return for the player. 

Clubs are understandably tentative over the Welshman, capped 37 times by his country before his career was abruptly halted.

Morrell, whose knee now has screws in it, suffered complications during his recovery with arthrofibrosis. 

Speaking earlier this summer, he said: “People are probably quite confused and think I have disappeared. Everyone forgets about you.”

“The best moments of my career have been in a Wales shirt and I’d love to have more of them,” he says. “I know I have to sort a club first and everything else will take care of itself. I believe the best years are ahead of me.”

“There were certainly days where I didn’t think I’d be able to get in a position to play again.”

“People will see I have not played for a long time and, understandably, there will be question marks. The truth is I’m fit and ready to go.”