Guivarc'h calls time on career

Stéphane Guivarc'h has announced that he is to retire from professional football. The 31-year-old former AJ Auxerre, Newcastle United FC, Rangers FC and En Avant Guingamp forward has been suffering from serious knee problems since his return to France in 2000.

World Cup-winner
In his career, Guivarc'h won the topscorer award twice in 1996 and 1997 when playing for Auxerre for whom he scored 47 goals in 58 matches. He also won the French league and cup in 1996 with Auxerre which led to his inclusion in the French national team. He earned 13 international caps scoring one goal, and was also a member of the French squad that won the FIFA World Cup in 1998.

Scottish title
After the World Cup, Guivarc'h moved to England where he played for Newcastle United, but he failed to settle into Ruud Gullit's team. He then joined Rangers FC with whom he won the Scottish league title in 1999.

Injury-plagued
In 2000, Guivarc'h returned to Auxerre where he was pushed out of the first team by players such as Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet and Nicolas Anelka. Last year, he signed a two-year contract for Guingamp. However, his injury problems have forced his retirement. Guivarc'h joins Dider Deschamps and Bernard Lama as French World Cup winners who have given up playing the game.