Montpellier defender Nenad Dzodic has taken the decision to retire from football after struggling to shake off a niggling knock.
Experienced defender forced to call it a day
Montpellier defender Nenad Dzodic has taken the decision to retire from football after struggling to shake off a niggling knock.
The 34-year-old hangs up his boots after failing to rid himself of a thigh complaint.
Montpellier are saddened to see one of the club's most iconic figures forced to bow out in such circumstances.
Dzodic has spent 12 years with the Ligue 1 club over the course of two spells, with a three-year stint with Ajaccio between 2004 and 2007 representing the only time he has spent away from Stade de la Mosson.
During that time the former Yugoslavia international has made 272 appearances for the club and captained the side on a number of occasions.
Complicated
He will leave Montpellier with a heavy heart, but concedes that the time has come to accept defeat in his efforts to shake off an injury that has troubled him since January 2010.
"I knew at my age I was closer to the end of my career than the beginning," he told the club's
official website.
"It was very complicated, because, like all players, I wish to finish my career in the field.
"Unfortunately, it happened like that, that's life.
"Now we must move on and focus on the future. Another life begins."
