Ledley King has announced his retirement from football after his release by Tottenham Hotspur in June.

King, 31, has struggled with knee injuries over the last six years of his career, curtailing the progress of one of Europe's most naturally gifted defenders.

He was restricted to just 323 appearances with the White Hart Lane club in 13 years. He scored 14 goals, winning one trophy in 2008 when he captained the Lilywhites to League Cup victory over Chelsea.


Tottenham Hotspur
We can today announce that one of our greatest players, Ledley King, has been forced to retire from the game due to injury.

King said: "I know that being a one-club man is a rarity these days, but I have always enjoyed being part of the set-up here and the challenge of putting this Club up with the elite where it should be."

Capped 21 times by England, he scored twice for the Three Lions against Portugal and Mexico six years apart.

Although gone from the playing field, Spurs fans will likely continue to chant "Oh Ledley Ledley, he's only got one knee, but he's better than John Terry" in tribute to their former captain.

King will take on an ambassadorial role at the club now his playing days are over. In the meantime, here's a gallery of King's career...

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  • Young King

  • Under 21 in Bratislava

  • Scoring the fastest ever Premier League goal against Bradford, December 2000

  • First England goal v Portugal, March 2004

  • Battling with Henry at Euro 2004

  • Putting one past the Gunners

  • One and only trophy, 2008

  • Scoring at West Ham, 2008/09

  • World Cup starter

  • An all-too-familiar site

  • Weary with Webb, January 2012

  • Atkinson'd in the Cup semi