Ex-Man United, Tottenham striker Berbatov retires at the age of 38

Former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov announced his retirement from football on Thursday, 18 months after leaving India's Kerala Blasters, bringing an end to a glittering 20-year career.

The 38-year-old, Bulgaria's record goalscorer, also played for CSKA Sofia, Bayer Leverkusen, Fulham, Monaco and Greek side PAOK, but he has been without a club since leaving the Blasters.

"My last game was more than one year ago, so I think it's the right time now to stop, and it's long overdue."

The gifted striker, who won two Premier League titles with Manchester United and was named Bulgaria's Footballer of the Year seven times between 2004 and 2010, added that he planned to remain in football in some capacity.

"When I think about it, it's never the end, because I will stay in the game one way or another," he said.

Berbatov joined Manchester United from Tottenham in 2008 for what was then a club-record fee of £30.75 million ($38.38 million).

He made his Bulgaria debut in 1999, aged 18, but retired from international football in 2010 after scoring 48 goals in 79 matches. Source [ESPN]