Former Dutch international Heitinga quits

Former Dutch international John Heitinga has put an end to his professional soccer career, with immediate effect, agent Rob Jansen of the 32-year-old defender confirmed to Dutch magazine Voetbal International.

"Some things you want to postpone as long as possible," Heitinga said in a letter to the fans. "Stopping with football, my passion, is one of them. However, in December last year I came to the conclusion that it is time to end my active career, sooner than I wanted."

Last summer Heitinga returned to Ajax after a spell abroad. He signed a contract for one season in Amsterdam, with an option for a one-year extension until 2017. Heitinga failed to impress, looked far from fit and Ajax coach Frank de Boer only used him two times in the Eredivisie this season.

Heitinga played 87 internationals for the Dutch national team, including the World Cup final in 2010 against Spain (1-0 loss), in which he received a red card. His last match for the Netherlands was a friendly against China in June 2013 (2-0 win).

Heitinga broke through via the Ajax youth academy and made his debut in the first team on August 26, 2001, against Feyenoord (2-1 win). He won the national championship twice with Ajax (2002, 2004), the Dutch Cup three times (2002, 2006, 2007) and the Dutch Super Cup four times (2002, 2005, 2006, 2007).

In 2008 he left Ajax for Atletico Madrid, followed by Everton, Fulham and German side Hertha BSC, which let him go to Ajax on a free transfer last year. His last season in Germany also was no success, having played only 13 matches in the Bundesliga. Endit