Alexandersson to retire

Former Owl, Toffee and Hammer calls time on playing days

Last updated: 1st October 2008

Niclas Alexandersson Sweden

Alexandersson: Excellent career

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Niclas Alexandersson has announced his decision to call time on his career at the end of the season.

The 36-year-old Swede drew the curtain on his international days after Euro 2008 and has now decided he will hang up his boots at the end of the current campaign.

Alexandersson is well known in England having encompassed spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Everton and West Ham during a well travelled career.

A series of niggling injuries and fitness scares have led Alexandersson, who currently plays his football for IFK Gothenburg, to conclude his best days are behind him.

Big decision

"It's something I've weighed up and thought through," he said.

"My body has started to protest and I no longer have the energy which is needed to motivate myself for another season.

"It's becoming more and more difficult to reach the level where I still have a lot to offer."

Alexandersson's playing career has spanned two decades and also included spells in his homeland with Halmstad.

He won the Allsvenska title in 1996 - prior to his stint in England - and last season and scored seven goals in 109 appearances for Sweden, competing at two World Cups and two European Championships.