Overmars calls it a day

Dutch winger Marc Overmars has announced his retirement from football due to an ongoing knee injury.

Career close
The cartilage in the FC Barcelona player's right knee has almost completely disintegrated and he confirmed his decision to stop playing today in a news conference, accompanied by club chairman Joan Laporta. He told reporters: "My career as a footballer has come to a close here today. I have been experiencing problems with my knee and now I cannot play at the level that I would like."

'Dignity and sincerity'
The 31-year-old had one more year to run on his contract with Barcelona, whom he joined for €39.6m from Arsenal FC in July 2000. Laporta said: "I am enormously grateful to Marc for his tremendous show of dignity and sincerity - qualities that one rarely sees these days." Overmars ended the press conference by declaring: "Long live Catalonia, long live Barça."

Ajax success
After playing for Go Ahead Eagles and Willem II in the Eredivisie, Overmars made the switch to AFC Ajax in 1992. He won the Dutch Cup in 1993 and a hat-trick of league titles between then and 1995, the same year Ajax won the UEFA Champions League. Overmars played every match of their successful campaign, including the final defeat of AC Milan.

FA Cup final goal
Overmars moved to Arsenal in 1997 and in his first season scored in the FA Cup final victory against Newcastle United FC as they clinched the league and cup double. He made 86 appearances for the Netherlands and was part of Dick Advocaat's squad at UEFA EURO 2004™.