Swope Park Rangers defender Justin Bilyeu has announced his retirement from professional soccer after a four-year career in the USL Championship and Major League Soccer.
Bilyeu, 25, leaves the sport due to a history of concussions. He will remain under contract with the Rangers for the remainder of 2019 while he receives care from the SPR and Sporting Kansas City medical staff.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Bilyeu joined the New York Red Bulls in the first round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft after a standout four-year career at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Across two seasons in New York, he made four MLS appearances and played 29 USL championship matches for New York Red Bulls II.