This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
Former Man United and Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov has officially retired from active football, bringing an end to a 20-year career.
At 38 years old, Berbatov has been out of the game since leaving Indian side Kerala Blasters 18 months ago, and has now decided to stop playing professionally.
During his time in the Premier League, Berbatov won two league titles with Manchester United and was crowned the Golden Boot winner in the 2010/11 season.
With 229 appearances across spells at Tottenham, Manchester United, and Fulham, Berbatov scored 94 goals and earned 78 caps for Bulgaria, emerging as the country's footballer of the year for seven consecutive years from 2004 to 2010.
On his decision to retire, Berbatov said, 'My last game was more than one year ago, so I think it's the right time now to stop, and it's long overdue.'
He also expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped him develop as a player, saying, 'Thank you to all the people who helped me develop, and become the player I always wanted to be.'
Despite his retirement, Berbatov has hinted that he will remain involved in the game in some capacity, stating, 'When I think about it, it's never the end, because I will stay in the game one way or another.'
