Former Spanish international Roberto Ríos has turned down a move to English Premiership side West Bromwich Albion and opted to retire instead.

Out of contract
The 31-year-old defender, who had been a free agent since leaving Athletic Club Bilbao when his contract expired last summer, said he had no regrets about hanging up his boots: "I am doing this with a clear conscience, everything is decided and I am leaving football for good. I didn't want to try and fool anyone. I would have needed a month to get into shape and I didn't want to sign in those circumstances."

Record signing
Ríos fell out of favour at Athletic during the first half of last season. He had joined the Basque side in a club record €12m transfer from Real Betis Balompié in 1997. At the time, he was an established international, having made his debut against the Czech Republic in Prague the year before. A versatile centre-back who could also operate in midfield, he would win eleven caps in all.