Borussia Monchengladbach’s German international Christian Ziege has announced his retirement following his failure to recover from a longstanding ankle problem.

The 33-year-old defender has been injury plagued throughout his career, but the latest problem with his ankle has persuaded him to hang up his boots.

“Although I’m sad that my career as a player is ending, I’m happy that all the back and forth over injuries, rehabilitation, hopes and disappointments are finally over,” Ziege said on his website.

Ziege played 72 times for Germany from 1993 to 2004, winning the European Championship in 1996 and playing against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup final.

He played for Bayern Munich, Milan, Middlesbrough, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

“I won championships in Germany, Italy, the UEFA Cup, the European Championship and was runner-up in the World Cup,” Ziege said. “There’s not a lot more one can achieve in soccer.”