It would have taken huge courage to come out and you will be an inspiration to many both on and off the pitch.' Justin Fashanu was the last active men's professional footballer in the UK to come out during his playing career, featuring for clubs in England and Scotland after announcing in October 1990 that he was gay.Īdelaide United player Josh Cavallo is the only current openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world, having come out last October.ĭaniels' announcement drew instant reaction, with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeting: 'Thank you for your bravery Jake. I am ready to be myself, be free and be confident with it all.' 'I have been thinking for a long time about how I want to do it, when I want to do it. Now I am just confident and happy to be myself finally. He added: 'Since I've come out to my family, my club and my team-mates, that period of overthinking everything - and the stress it created - has gone. Why Daniels coming out is a watershed moment.'I feel like I am ready to tell people my story.' Speaking to Sky Sports, the 17-year-old said: 'Now is the right time to do it.
