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Monchengladbach's Martin Stranzl announces retirement

Xinhua, March 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

Monchengladbach's defender Martin Stranzl announced he will retire after this season at a press conference on Tuesday.

The former Austrian international will hang up his boots in the summer as he missed most of the current season due to persistent injuries.

"My decision to retire has emerged increasingly in recent weeks. Plenty injuries in the recent past have of course contributed significantly to my decision. My body has sent me signals and therefore it is time to draw a line under my career," Stranzl said tearfully.

The 35-year-old defender, who started his professional career in 1997 at TSV 1860 Munich, played for Stuttgart and Spartak Moscow before he joined the "Foals" in 2011. He scored 8 goals in 143 appearances.

"Together we experienced incredibly good times. Martin is a true professional and has an incredible character. He is an inspiring example for young players," Monchengladbach's sporting director Max Eberl said.

Stranzl was from 2000 until 2009 part of Austria's national team where he scored three goals in 56 caps.

The "Foals", who sit on the 6th place of the Bundesliga standings, encounter struggling Eintracht Frankfurt in the 26th matchday on Saturday. Endit