Le Tissier to quit

Le Tissier has been plagued by a succession of injuries

Southampton star Matthew Le Tissier has announced that he will retire from football at the end of the current season.

The midfielder will hang up his boots after his testimonial against an England XI at St Mary's Stadium on Tuesday, 14 May.

Le Tissier has talked of quitting in the past after being plagued by a succession of injuries.

Even if the club offered me one through sentimental reasons, I could not take money under false pretences

Matthew Le Tissier

But he has officially announced that he will call it a day after limping off with a recurrence of a calf strain during a recent reserve team game against Charlton.

"In the end it was not a hard decision," Le Tissier told the club's official website.

"It has been an increasing trend over the last three years with one niggling injury after another and I could not face another season like this one. "

"I have not been able to get a run of games even at reserve level, so that has left me unable to prove my form and fitness to earn a new contract.

"Even if the club offered me one through sentimental reasons, I could not take money under false pretences.

We would all love to have seen Matt get back to the sparkling form he showed during his peak

Saints chairman
Rupert Lowe

"If I thought I could play on at my best then that would be different but my body is not so much giving me hints as screaming at me.

"And I would hate another season like this one where I spend my whole time desperately trying to get fit and then breaking down as soon as I play."

Saints chairman Rupert Lowe added: "Matt has been a great servant to the club and we thank him from the bottom of our hearts for all he has done for the club and for the pleasure he has brought to the fans.

"It is a sad day in many ways. We would all love to have seen Matt get back to the sparkling form he showed during his peak but it has not happened for him."

Le Tissier has scored a total of 209 goals in 462 appearances for the Saints and won eight caps for England.