Swede forced to retire

Antonelius has been battling to shake off the effects of damaged knee ligaments he sustained last December for his club FC Copenhagen.

The 30-year-old had undergone surgery on the injury but the Swedish full back has been unable to recover his fitness sufficiently well enough to play professional football again.

He admits his retirement is tinged with sadness but he will return to his homeland with a wealth of happy memories from his career.

"I am really sad at having to give up what I love most but I have experienced a lot of high points in my career," Antonelius told FCK's website.

"I am going to miss the game and in particular my team-mates at FCK.

"I have a lot of good memories from my football career and I will always look back on them with happiness."

Antonelius spent just over two years at Coventry, making 18 appearances for the Highfield Road club, and he was also included in Sweden's 2002 World Cup squad but failed to make an appearance in the tournament.