Thursday 19 September 2019 18:48, UK
Former Manchester United and Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov has confirmed his "long overdue" retirement from football.
The 38-year-old has been without a club for 18 months since leaving Indian side Kerala Blasters and has finally announced he will no longer be lacing up his boots professionally.
Two-time Premier League winner Berbatov made 229 appearances across spells at Spurs, United and Fulham, scoring 94 goals and achieving the Golden Boot in the 2010/11 season.
In an Instagram post, Berbatov said: "Someone told me I need to say something, and seeing that people were asking me, especially back home, I need to give a farewell message.
"My last game was more than one year ago, so I think its the right time now to stop, and it's long overdue.
"The time has come to say that after almost 20 years playing football I am stopping with my professional active football career."
The Bulgaria international earned 78 caps for his country after making his debut in 1999 and was named Bulgaria's Footballer of the Year seven times between 2004 and 2010.
The gifted striker also played for CSKA Sofia, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco and Greek side PAOK and he thanked everyone he has worked with in football throughout his glittering 20-year career.
Berbatov added: "Thank you to all the people who helped me develop, and become the player I always wanted to be.
"Thank you to all my former teams, my teammates and my coaches and staff. It was a pleasure. I know at times I was not easy to work with, but I always gave my everything for the teams I played for."
Although he will not play professionally anymore, Berbatov admits that he still wants to be involved in football in some capacity.
He said: "When I think about it, its never the end, because I will stay in the game one way or another."
