Former England football goalkeeper David Seaman has announced his retirement from the game, Manchester City, the Premier League club he currently represents, said on Tuesday.
Seaman, 40, joined City at the start of the current season after spending most of his career with Arsenal, but has suffered a recurring shoulder injury.
"I have reached this difficult decision after much discussion with my family and those in the game whose views I respect," Seaman told City's Web site.
"It has become clear to me that this type of injury will not quickly disappear and I think now would be a good time to hang up my boots, rather than at the end of the season as planned.
"I believe I have had a fantastic career playing at the highest level."
Seaman's last match was in City's 4-2 defeat at lowly Portsmouth on Saturday. The tall goalie with the distinctive ponytail was substituted after only 13 minutes in the match.
Seaman was England's goalkeeper at the last World Cup in South Korea and Japan in 2002 where he was embarrassed and devastated when a fantastic free kick from Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho from near the halfway line beat him and landed in the back of the net, ending England's hopes of advancing into the semi-finals.
Seaman was also England's first-choice goalkeeper at the 1998 World Cup.
