Yorke retires from football

The 37-year-old was released by Sunderland at the end of last season.

“It’s time to hang up my boots,” he said. “While I’m still in great shape, I’m not getting any younger. I’ve had the time of my life. I hope people will say that I played the game in the right way with a smile on my face.

“I’ve been blessed really. I’ve played alongside some of the greatest players the Premier League has ever seen in Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Peter Schmeichel, and played for the greatest manager in Sir Alex Ferguson.

“I’ll always count myself lucky. I was a boy on a beach from a little Caribbean island that got the chance to fulfil his dream of winning trophies at the highest level and captaining his country in their first ever World Cup finals.”