Alkorta calls it quits

Former Spain defender Rafael Alkorta has called time on his playing career after failing to find a club for the new season.

Madrid spell
The 34-year-old was released by Athletic Club Bilbao in the summer after just six appearances last summer but could not find a new contract elsewhere. He spent most of his career at San Mamés, aside from a four-year spell at Real Madrid CF in the mid-1990s where he won the league twice.

Three World Cups
Alkorta made his Athletic debut in 1987 and became an instant regular. He moved to Madrid six years later but returned in time for the 1997/98 campaign. He won 56 caps for Spain and represented them at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals, after being a non-playing member of the squad in 1990. He also played for Spain at the UEFA European Championship in 1992 and 1996.

'It would be difficult'
"Being 34 years old and having only played six league games last season, I always knew it would be difficult to find a new club," said Alkorta, who attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain FC but failed to agree a move. "Besides, everybody knows what the market is like at the moment. The fact is, at the end of the day, I didn't receive any interesting offers and have therefore decided to retire."

'Very happy'
The player said he would "now focus on other things". He added: "I would have liked to have played for another year - not through any burning desire to achieve more in the sport, but simply to prove to myself that I still have the ability and to wash away the bitter taste of my final season. That remains my only regret. As far as anything else is concerned, I am very proud of the career I've had."

Busy retirement