A FORMER Whitehaven RL player who has been forced to retire due to a series of injuries has made an interesting new career choice. 

Levy Nzoungou, 24, says he is looking forward to starting in his new role as a firefighter. 

Originally from France, Nzoungou came through the St Helens youth system and went onto play for Whitehaven, Hull FC, Toulouse Olympique, Oldham Doncaster and Swinton Lions.

More recently he has played for Bradford Bulls, Widnes Vikings and then in the super league for Salford Red Devils. 

In January 2023, he will go onto become a firefighter for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. 

Nzoungou told the BBC that he decided to become a firefighter because he "needed to find something else where I would be part of a team".

He said: "My last two years in rugby was the hardest part as that's when I started picking up the injuries.

"After I snapped my Achilles, I just said that was enough."

He explained that he is so happy that he has chosen to become a firefighter.

Nzougou added: "The fire service does a brilliant job helping people and I wanted to be part of that."