The Dutch winger has announced his retirement at 37-years-of-age. The player puts an end to an incredible career of success, which started and ended with Groningen.

Arjen Robben has decided to hang up his boots. The winger spent months fighting injuries and delaying the day that he never wanted to arrive, but he eventually felt that he couldn’t put off the decision any longer.

Via a statement on social media, the Dutchman said goodbye in the most difficult message of his sporting career. “Dear friends of football, I have decided to put a stop to my active football career. A very difficult choice. I want to thank  you all for your  total support.”

The ex-Netherlands international has said goodbye to football at 37 years-of-age and after having played just seven matches last season, which came after a year away from the game altogether. Robben left, returned and then finally decided to hang up his boots forever.

His career tells a story full of success, and also one that gone full circle. He started  at Groningen aged 17, before ending his career at the same club some 20 years later.

Between these two spells at his boyhood club, Robben enjoyed three seasons with PSV, three with Chelsea, two with Real Madrid and ten with Bayern Munich, as well a whopping 96 caps for the Dutch national team.

Robben was able to lift a staggering 30 trophies at club level, along with a semi-final finish in Euro 2004 and defeat in the final of the 2010 World Cup against Spain.