Ledley King retires from football
July 19th, 2012 - 9:02 pm ICT by IANSLondon, July 19 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Knee problems have forced Tottenham Hotspur and England defender Ledley King to retire at the age of 31.
King joined Tottenham as a 14-year-old and spent his entire career at the North London club, becoming team captain and making 323 appearances.
He won the League Cup with Spurs in 2008, and played in their first-ever Champions League campaign in 2010-11.
“I know that being a one-club man is a rarity these days, but I have always enjoyed being part of the set-up here and the challenge of putting this Club up with the elite where it should be,” King said on the club website.
“Sadly my injuries and inability to train have now finally brought an end to my career.”
King’s knee problems affected much of his career, ruling him out for long stretches from 2006 onwards and preventing him playing matches in quick succession.
He will stay at Tottenham as a representative of the club, chairman Daniel Levy said.
“It is in an ambassadorial capacity that Ledley will continue, playing a crucial role in supporting the Club’s work in the community and the ongoing regeneration of the
Tottenham area, whilst also being a hugely positive role model for our younger players,” Levy said.
King earned 21 caps and scored two goals for England in an international career that included the 2010 World Cup.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
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Tags: champions league, club chairman, daniel levy, dg, football london, hotspur, international career, knee problems, league campaign, ledley king, north london club, positive role model, rarity, regeneration, ria novosti, spurs, stretches, team captain, tottenham area, world cup