Neuville announces retirement

Former Germany striker Oliver Neuville has announced that he will be retiring from football.

Former Germany international calls it a day

Former Germany striker Oliver Neuville has announced that he will be retiring from football. The 37-year-old had his contract terminated by German second division side Arminia Bielefeld after failing to land a regular place in the team. Neuville has enjoyed a successful career at football's highest level, winning 69 caps for his country as a member of their World Cup 2002 and 2006 squads, as well as the Euro 2008 side. He also played in the UEFA Champions League final in 2002 with Bayer Leverkusen, getting them to that stage by scoring against Manchester United in the semi-finals. Neuville moved to Bielefeld last summer following six years with Borussia Moenchengladbach, making nine appearances and scoring two goals. "It's definitely over," he told German daily website Bild. "I've been thinking about it for a while already but that isn't how I hoped it would happen. I hoped to play for longer."