Stoitchkov calls it a day

Press conference
Stoitchkov, who turns 38 in February, confirmed his decision to retire at a press conference at Camp Nou, attended by his former coach at Barcelona, Johan Cruyff, and club president Joan Laporta.

New role
Laporta revealed that the Catalan club were "looking at ways of integrating Hristo into the club that are suitable for both parties". It is expected that Stoitchkov's new role will involve working with the youngsters at the club.

Assistant coach
He has been playing most recently in the United States, where he was both player and assistant coach with the Major League Soccer side DC United - and to whom he remains contracted until 31 December. Stoitchkov had moved to the US in 2000 to join Chicago Fire after spells in Japan with Kashiwa Reysol and Saudi Arabia with Al Nasar.

'Dream team'
Stoitchkov made his name in his home country playing for PFC CSKA Sofia, where he won three league titles and three Bulgarian Cups. During his seven years at Barcelona, he was a key member of Cruyff's legendary 'Dream team' of the early 1990s.

European champion
At Camp Nou he claimed five league titles and two Spanish Cups, and in Europe lifted both the European Cup Winners' Cup and, in 1992, the European Champion Clubs' Cup following Barça's 1-0 win against Sampdoria UC at Wembley.

International career
Stoitchkov enjoyed a distinguished international career, making 83 appearances for Bulgaria and scoring 37 goals, making him his country's second-highest goalscorer. The highlight was Bulgaria's 1994 FIFA World Cup campaign when he registered six times as they reached the last four.