El Khalej hangs up boots

Reports from his native Morocco claim that the 35-year-old has decided to hang up his boots.

El Khalej started his career at Moroccan side Kawkab Marrakesh before starring at Portuguese giants Benfica.

The Moroccan international joined Southampton in March 2000 for £3.5 million from Benfica and made 51 appearances for The Saints.

El Khalej moved to Charlton during the January transfer window but failed to establish himself at The Valley, making just three appearances and was released at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old African will probably be best remembered in England for the wrong reasons for his wild challenge on Newcastle's Kieron Dyer which almost scuppered the midfielder's plans for the 2002 World Cup