Rafa Benitez pays tribute to Stephen Darby

Darby has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, or ALS, which famously affected Stephen Hawking and baseball player Lou Gehrig. 

Darby annouced his retirement on Tuesday, and Benitez - who managed him at Liverpool - sent him a message of support. 

"I was proud to give Stephen Darby his Liverpool debut and now I am deeply saddened to learn of his retirement. Stephen is a special person and he has my total support. He will never walk alone," the now Newcastle manager wrote on Twitter. 

Darby captained Liverpool's FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2006, when they beat Manchester City in the final. He went on to spend five years at Bradford before moving to Bolton.

Motor Neurone Disease is a degenerative condition that affects the brain and nervous system. There is no known cure.