Football: Former France striker Saha retires

Former France striker Louis Saha announced on Thursday that he is retiring from professional football.

The former Manchester United star chose the day of his 35th birthday to transmit the news via his Twitter account.

"Want to thks all managers, all staffs, all teammates, all opponents, all fans, for all support and love towards me during my football career," he said.

"I'm a proud man but without you all I won't be myself now. Thx for the challenges thx for the help thx for the memories thx for the passion.

"I will stop to be call a professionnel footballer and wish many young talent to enjoy as much as me my football. Love you and thx again."

Saha began his career at Metz in 1997 before moving on loan to Newcastle in the second half of the 1998-99 season.

He came back to England in 2000 when he joined Fulham and his form there saw him catch the eye of Alex Ferguson, with a £12.8 million move to United ensuing in January 2004.

He won the Champions League in 2008 and two Premier League titles during his four-and-a-half year spell at Old Trafford, before moving on to Everton.

Further spells at Tottenham, Sunderland and Lazio came as his career wound down.

He also played 20 times for France, scoring four goals and taking part at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup, where he helped France reach the final, for which he was suspended.