Former Arsenal and Manchester United forward Robin van Persie has announced that he will hang his boots at the end of the Eredivisie season.
The Netherlands talisman rejoined his boyhood club Feyenoord at the turn of the year, ending his three-year stint with Turkish outfit Fenerbahçe. During his time in England, Van Persie won the FA Cup with Arsenal and a Premier League title at United.
In an interview with Dutch publication AD, Van Persie announced that he will call time to his career at the end of the season.
“When I have to stop? That is probably at the end of this season,” he said.
“I will be 36 years old and will have been a professional for 18 years. From the age of five, I’ve only been involved in football.”
“I also do not believe that my return to Feyenoord has only been successful if we win the title,” he added.
“How is it successful? This is actually it, if you look at the whole picture. I had lost the fun. That’s not how I wanted to end, without pleasure. The fun has returned at Feyenoord.
“I want to win as a football player and the cup win was nice, but that is not the measurement between whether it is successful or not.
“I wanted to give something back, share my experiences. I am trying to help my fellow players.
“I see it as broader than just winning a title or not. That is the goal, that is what the club also say, but whether or not we win a title is not decisive for me on whether my return is successful or not.”