CHELSEA TITLE WINNER, NEWCASTLE & FULHAM FAVOURITE RETIRES AGED 36

As reported by BBC Sport, former Chelsea, Newcastle United and Fulham winger Damien Duff has retired from football at the age of 36.

Duff began his career at Blackburn Rovers and was an integral element of the Rovers side that recorded a sixth-place Premier League finish during the 2002/03 season, also claiming a spot in the UEFA Team of the Year for 2002, before moving to Chelsea in a £17million deal.

He went on to enjoy great success during his three seasons in west London, most particularly under Jose Mourinho, leaving for Newcastle United in summer 2006 with two FA Cups and a League Cup to his name.

The wide man later went on to reach a Europa League final with Fulham in 2010, whilst amassing exactly 100 appearances for Ireland before retiring from international football in 2012. He's the sixth-most capped player in Ireland history, behind regular former team-mates Robbie Keane, Shay Given, Kevin Kilbane, John O'Shea and Steve Staunton.

Following spells with Melbourne City in Australia and Shamrock Rovers on his home soil, Duff has now decided to hang up his boots at the age of 36.

Upon retiring, he said; "My heart wants me to continue playing, but my body has finally won the battle and told me to stop. I've lived every young boy's dream and I know I am a very lucky man. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me along the journey from schoolboy football in Dublin and moving to England as a teenager right up to today. It was always my greatest pleasure to represent Ireland and I have many magical memories from my international career."