Bolton's Hierro announces retirement from football

Former Spain and Real Madrid defender Fernando Hierro has announced that he will retire from professional football at the end of this season.

"I'm clear about the decision but I wanted to leave it while I'm still playing at a high level," the 37-year-old Bolton Wanderers player told Radio Marca on Monday.

Hierro, who made a record 89 international appearances as an outfield player for Spain, joined Bolton on a one-year contract last July after a season in Qatar playing for Al Rayyan.

He joined Real Madrid from Valladolid in 1989 and went on to help the team win six Spanish league titles and three European Cups during his 14 years at the club.

He was discarded by Real along with coach Vicente del Bosque a day after the club won the league title in June 2003.

Real have not won a major trophy since the two men left.