Former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer to retire after last league game with FC Copenhagen
Jesper Gronkjaer, the 33-year-old FC Copenhagen winger, revealed he had decided to retire from football.
His retirement comes as a surprise, especially with players much older than him continuing to play on.
However, the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 player said he was ready to end his footballing career because of health reasons.
Gronkjaer said while speaking to reporters:
“I'd like to be able to go jogging when I have played my last football game.
I want a life without aches.
I am worn out but not worn down.”
Gronjaer arrived at Stamford Bridge from Dutch side Ajax in the winter transfer window of the 2000 season for a fee of £7.5 million.
While he failed to establish himself in the starting XI under manager Claudio Ranieri, the Danish winger is credited for ensuring UEFA Champions League qualification for the Blues in the 2003-2004 season.
He went on to set up the first goal and score the second against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 in the last fixture, which the Blues went on to win 2-1, of the 2002-2003 season of the Premier League.
It was the confirmation of the participation in the European competition next season that played a major role in Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich buying the club in 2003.
In his four seasons at Stamford Bridge, Gronkjaer made some 119 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals.
Gronkjaer parted ways with the London side to join English Premier League Birmingham City in the summer of 2005.
However, after scoring just one goal for the Blues, Gronkjaer was transferred to Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window for a fee of £2.5 million.
Once again the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/VfB-Stuttgart-c40879 the following summer.
From mid 2004 to the summer of 2005, Gronkjaer had been to three clubs, making a http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Total-c40747 of 53 appearances for all three sides.
In 2006, Gronkjaer made a move to local side FC Copenhagen, in his first season he went on to make 31 appearances and scored six goals.
His next two seasons were plagued with injury, but he still managed to maintain somewhat regular appearances, 35 and 16 respectively.
The 33-year-old made 42 appearances this season and scored six goals and played an important part in leading his side to the Danish Superliga this term.
The winger c*m second striker revealed he wanted to retire while still healthy and at the peak of his career.
Gronkjaer has confirmed he will be retiring after the final Danish league game of the season, which is against Aalborg this Sunday.
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