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Diego Forlan retires: Former Man Utd, Atletico Madrid striker announces retirement

Image: Diego Forlan has announced his retirement at the age of 40

Former Manchester United and Uruguay forward Diego Forlan has announced his retirement.

The 40-year-old, who also played for Villarreal, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, revealed his decision on Twitter.

He wrote: "After 21 years I made the decision to end my career as a professional footballer.

"A beautiful stage closes full of great memories and emotions but another of new challenges will begin.

"Thanks to all who in one way or another accompanied me on this path!"

Forlan moved to Manchester United from Argentine side Independiente for £6.9m in January 2002.

He had to wait until September to score his first goal, and went on to find the net 17 times in 98 appearances.

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Solskjaer celebrates with Diego Forlan after his goal at Anfield
Image: Forlan joined Manchester United in 2002 and famously scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield later that year

Although his time at Old Trafford was not exactly a roaring success, Forlan was a popular figure among United fans and he became a prolific goalscorer in La Liga for both Villareal and Atletico - winning the European Golden Shoe in both 2005 and 2009.

He also scored 36 goals in 112 games for Uruguay, helping them to the Copa America title in 2011.

Forlan won the Golden Ball award for the best player at the 2010 World Cup - where Uruguay reached the semi-finals.

He wound down his career with Brazil's Internacional, Japan's Cerezo Osaka, boyhood Uruguayan club Penarol, India's Mumbai City and most recently Kitchee in Hong Kong.

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