John Arne Riise announces retirement at age 35
Norway's record appearance holder John Arne Riise has called an end to his playing days at the age of 35.
The 110-time international most notably represented Liverpool between 2001 and 2008, where his bursting runs from left-back and explosive shots from distance won him many fans on Merseyside and beyond. He picked up FA Cup and League Cup winners medals with the Reds, and was part of the famous comeback Champions League triumph of 2005.
He also represented AS Monaco, AS Roma, and Fulham, before hanging up his boots after most recently representing Aalesunds FK in his homeland.
"My inner goal was to play football at the Norwegian top level until I was 40. But that is not to be. It stops here," Riise wrote on his personal website, as translated by the Guardian. "Lately there has emerged a completely new feeling in me that I am no longer strong enough to perform at my best."
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