Former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie announces retirement

 Robin Van Persie, the former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has decided to hang up his boots at the end of the season. The Dutch forward has spent 18 seasons as a professional and made his debut for Feyenoord when he was 17 before moving to Arsenal FC in the Premier League where he spent 9 seasons and scored 96 premiership goals in 194 appearances.

He then joined Manchester United and played a leading role in Sir Alex Ferguson’s last title-winning side before moving to Fenerbahce in Turkey and then returning to his boyhood club Feyenoord. He also netted 50 goals in 102 appearances for the Netherlands which included outings to three World Cups and two European Championships.

Van Persie told Dutch publication AD: "When will I have to stop? That is probably at the end of this season.I will be nearly 36 years old and will have been a professional for 18 years. From the age of five, I've only been involved in football. I also do not believe that my return to Feyenoord has only been successful if we win the title. How is it successful? This is actually it, if you look at the whole picture. I had lost the fun. That's not how I wanted to end, without pleasure. The fun has returned at Feyenoord.