Injury-plagued Bayern and Germany midfielder Sebastian Deisler has announced his immediate retirement from professional football. The 27-year-old informed Munich general manager Uli Hoeneß of his decision on Monday evening, before going public with the news the following day.

 

"It's not a decision I've come to overnight. I've taken my time over it," Deisler told a news conference at Bayern's Säbener Strasse headquarters on Tuesday lunchtime, revealing he had considered calling time on his career after his last major injury, a lacerated knee cartilage. "I had to push myself hard to get back up to speed."

 

The injury cleared up and Deisler made a successful Bundesliga comeback last autumn, "but I no longer have real faith in my knee's ability to cope with professional football," the player explained. "I'm not playing with the enjoyment you need any more. I don't want to do anything by halves. That doesn't help anyone," Deisler continued.

 

Hoeneß expressed deep regret at the player's chosen course of action. "For me, the decision is incomprehensible. We've done everything we could, and we regret this decision enormously," the board director declared. Deisler's contract, which runs until 30 June 2009, will not be dissolved but will instead be "suspended", Hoeneß announced. Should Deisler ever feel capable of playing at the highest level again, "he can take up this option at any time and come back to us."

 

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He played Vs England in the 5-1

 

Since that he's been injured ALOT

Always sad to see such a talented footballer forced out of football in such a manner

He has also suffered a lot of mental problems too which has not helped, had to take breaks from football 3 times for depression

No real suprise really, seen as whenever he's got injured its normally being long term and he has suffered mentally from the injuries as well. :(

Ironically, he retired straight after being declared fit... lol