Toni takes his leave

Time to go
The 33-year-old, who still had one year left to run on his contract with Espanyol, told reporters that he felt the time was right to call it quits. "I chose to leave football before it left me," he said today.

Long service
After starting his career with EC Granollers in 1988, Toni moved through a succession of clubs including FC Barcelona's B side and US Figueres, before joining Rayo Vallecano in 1992. He was part of Espanyol's promotion-winning side the following year and held down the No1 slot for the next five seasons. A three-year stint with Club Atlético de Madrid followed, as well as a brief spell with Elche CF, before he returned to Espanyol in 2002.

Olympic glory
Toni made the first of three international appearances for Spain against the United States in March 1992, and went on to win an Olympic gold medal later the same year at the Barcelona games. He picked up two Zamora trophies for Goalkeeper of the Year, in 1994 and 1998.