Uruguayan forward Diego Forlan retires from football

ANKARA

Uruguayan forward Diego Forlan retired from professional football, he announced early Wednesday.

"After 21 years, I made the decision to end my career as a professional footballer. A beautiful stage closes full of great memories and emotions but another of new challenges will begin," Forlan, 40, said on Twitter.

The player thanked everyone who accompanied him in this journey.

During his football career, Forlan played for many European clubs such as Spain's Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, English team Manchester United and Italy's Inter Milan.

Forlan last played for a Hong Kong club named Kitchee.

He was the top scorer in Spanish La Liga in 2005 and in 2009.

Forlan won the UEFA Europa League title with Atletico Madrid in 2010.

He also helped Manchester United win the English Premier League title in 2003.

Forlan was regarded as an integral part of Uruguay national team, scoring 36 goals in 112 international matches.

In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Forlan netted five goals in seven matches as he helped his nation reach semifinals in South Africa.