Former England goalkeeper David Seaman has announced his retirement from football.
The Manchester City stopper came to the decision decision came shortly after City revealed they had agreed a £2m deal for West Ham’s David James.
Seaman, 40, joined City last summer, on a one-year contract after being released by Arsenal – the club with whom he spent 13 years.
The goalkeeper won the last of his 75 international caps against Macedonia in October 2002 but the veteran had never given up hope of earning an international recall. However, his latest injury setback, which is expected to keep him out of action for six weeks, finally persuaded Seaman to call time on his career.
The keeper has suffered a recurring shoulder problem and was substituted after 13 minutes of Manchester City’s Premiership defeat at Portsmouth on Saturday.
“I have reached this difficult decision after much discussion with my family and those in the game whose views I respect,” he said.
“It has become clear to me that this type of injury will not quickly disappear – and I think now would be a good time to hang up my boots, rather than at the end of the season as planned.”
Kevin Keegan added: “This has been a difficult decision for David – but I fully respect it.
“It says a lot about the man that he has been incredibly helpful to us as a club in finding a successor at such a testing personal time for him. ”
His record is incredible and his achievements unbelievable but most importantly I will remember him as an ultimate professional who cared about others.”
Seaman played over 1,000 club and international matches and was awarded the MBE in 1996. During his spell with Arsenal he won three League titles, three FA Cups a European Cup Winners Cup and one Coca Cola Cup. His final match for the London club came in last season’s FA Cup final.
