Niall Quinn

Niall Quinn today announced his retirement from professional football after persistent injury problems. The Republic of Ireland striker, who began his career at Arsenal, has been at Sunderland for six years after previously playing for Manchester City. Quinn's decision was announced to the crowd at the Stadium of Light at half-time in the match between Sunderland and Tottenham. A Sunderland spokesman said: "Niall has decided the time has come to hang up his boots and …

…the choice, and that's the wonderful thing that football's given me. I can sit back and get to Christmas - and then maybe I'll be writing letters to clubs." "I'm not turning my back on the game but I need a bit of a break. I need a few weeks to recharge the batteries. I don't know what I'm going to do - but I feel so grateful for the life football has given me."