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Scott Parker hangs up boots after almost 19 years in professional game

Action Images / Tony O'Brien Livepic

Scott Parker has retired from professional football aged 36.

The midfielder is the only player to turn out for five London clubs in the Premier League - Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Fulham - and also represented Newcastle United, where he won the now-defunct Intertoto Cup in 2008.

The single major honour he collected in his career was the League Cup with Chelsea in 2005, but he does boast the individual distinctions of being named the Football Writers' Player of the Year for the 2010-11 season, and England's best player in 2011.

He received a replica Premier League medal from Chelsea when it won the 2004-05 title. He wasn't eligible to win an official one due to not playing enough matches.

"Thank you to the fans of all of the clubs that I've been lucky enough to play for," Parker said in a statement released by Sky Sports' James Dale. "Your support has meant everything to me and you've supported me throughout all of the ups and downs during my career. I hope I was able to repay the faith shown in me by my commitment and performances on the pitch."

He added: "I'm now looking forward to the next chapter of my life and career and hope to make an announcement soon with regards to what that will be."

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Despite leaving his first club Charlton under contentious circumstances, the club tweeted that he was "a fantastic player" in the wake of his retirement.

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