Former Leeds midfielder Robbie Rogers has announced he is gay.
The 25-year-old American, who left League One side Stevenage last month, wrote on his blog that he had been afraid of revealing his sexuality - but that he is now leaving football.
Rogers, who won 18 caps for the United States national team, wrote: "Secrets can cause so much internal damage. People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple. Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay.
"Try convincing yourself that your creator has the most wonderful purpose for you even though you were taught differently."
He added: "Now is my time to step away. It's time to discover myself away from football."
No British-based professional player has come out since ex-Norwich and Nottingham Forest striker Justin Fashanu in 1990. He committed suicide eight years later aged 37.
There has been a thawing of attitudes to the prospect of gay players in Britain in recent times, however.
Last month, West Ham winger Matt Jarvis became the third footballer to feature on the cover of the UK's best-selling gay magazine, Attitude, after David Beckham and Freddie Ljungberg.
Although not gay himself, Jarvis insisted gay footballers should feel comfortable enough to come out.
Meanwhile, Clarke Carlisle, the chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), said last year he had been engaged in discussions with eight gay players but none of them wished to go public.
Ruth Hunt, director of public affairs for lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall, said: "It's great that Robbie now feels able to be open about his sexuality but it remains a shame that no professional player feels able to be out during their career.
"Homophobia remains rife in football and we must work together to stop it for the sake of the game."
Gordon Taylor, chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association, told Press Association Sport: "I'm pleased that he's come out for his own sake. We do have players who've said that, while they are gay, they don't feel comfortable enough to come out.
"It's not dissimilar to many black players, and we need to create a safe environment for them on and off the field. If there is abuse, that needs to be dealt with by all the football family.
"It's no bad thing that he's been brave enough to come out. We know of players who are playing who are gay who've not had that confidence as yet. But, as the rest of the world becomes more civilised, hopefully that will come."
Taylor added that the PFA remains committed to programmes of education on all topics relating to discrimination, but that the issue is one that needs to be tackled by society as a whole.
"There needs to be a feeling that there is a comfortable environment for everybody," he said. "We're aware through our sporting chance clinic that players who deal with such issues at the moment feel they would be targeted and the attention would no longer be on them as a footballer.
"That's a real challenge. But the game has to be up to that. If we're going to claim to be the major sport in the world, both in terms of spectators and participation, then we've got to use that to create a better example."
Several of Rogers' former United States team-mates took to Twitter to express their support.
Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden wrote: "Much love and respect to my boy@robbierogers ! Proud to be your friend bro", while ex-Manchester City winger DaMarcus Beasley, now of Puebla, said: "I have a lot of respect for my boy @robbierogers. good luck in your next adventure man!!"
Eddie Pope, who played in three World Cups for the United States and is now the director of player relations for the MLS Players Union, tweeted: "@robbierogers Brave men like you will make it so that one day there's no need for an announcement.That day can't arrive soon enough.#Support"
Clarke Carlisle, chairman of the PFA's management committee, wrote on his account: "Huge admiration for @robbierogers - I hope retirement is not because of this revelation, you have our respect & support wherever you go!"
Chris Basiurski, chairman of Gay Football Supporters Network, said he hoped that Rogers could have played on if he wanted to after coming out.
"I'd be disappointed if (he's retired) because he felt as though he couldn't still have a career," he told Press Association Sport.
"What we want to do within our organisation is create an atmosphere where a player could come out if they wanted to without fear.
"If he feels he has to retire after this it shows there is still some way to go to create that atmosphere."
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