Calling time: Ledley King has retired
Tottenham defender Ledley King has announced his retirement but will stay on at Spurs as a club ambassador.
King,
who has captained the side since 2005, has suffered from chronic knee
problems in recent years, limiting his game and training time.
The
31-year-old admitted the decision to quit was tough, and after spending
his entire career at the club, he could not consider playing elsewhere.
King came through the youth ranks at Spurs before stepping up to the first team in 1998.
The
London-born centre back went on to make more than 250 appearances for
the White Hart Lane club, the high point coming when he lifted the
Carling Cup in 2008 with victory over Chelsea.
King said: 'I would like to say thank
you to everyone at the club and to the fans. I have missed a lot of
football over the years, but the Spurs fans have always been patient and
incredibly supportive with me during difficult periods.
'Sadly my injuries and inability to train have now finally brought an end to my career.
'I
have been here since I was a boy, I have always considered it my club
and have always found it hard to imagine wearing the shirt of another
team.
