Tom Cleverley, a former Manchester United midfielder, announced his retirement from the game at the age of 33, citing lingering injuries.
The former England international captained Watford after joining the Championship club on loan from Manchester United during the 2009-10 season.
Cleverley made 181 appearances for Watford, scoring 19 goals and assisting 15 times during his six-and-a-half-year stay after coming on loan from Everton for the second time before making the move permanent in 2017.
Last season, he missed 29 games for Watford, who finished 11th in the Championship.
Cleverley had surgery on an Achilles ailment that had sidelined him for a long time at the start of last season before suffering a thigh injury in February.
“Today, I am announcing my retirement from football as a player. The last year has been immensely difficult trying to overcome the obstacles of injury,” the former Premier League winner said in a statement on Saturday.
“Unfortunately, my body has failed me and just hasn’t got the capacity to perform anymore.”
Cleverley, an academy graduate of United, played 79 games for the Old Trafford outfit before joining Leicester City, Watford, Wigan Athletic, Aston Villa and Everton on loan.
“Special mentions must go to Manchester United… The people and the club that gave me the foundations as a player and person and also the club that made my dreams come true…
“To all those involved with Watford Football Club. I have the privilege of calling this club home… The love you have shown me as a young loanee up to the moment I retire as a grown man I can never repay.”
Watford said, “Some exciting news will soon be announced jointly by the club and Tom.”
