Germany WC winner Boateng announces retirement

BERLIN, Sept 20 (AFP): Former Germany defender Jerome Boateng, who won the World Cup in 2014, formally announced his retirement from the game on Friday.

The 37-year-old centre-back uploaded a minute-long clip to his social media channels on Friday, bidding farewell from the game.

"I played for a long time, for big clubs, for my country. I learned, won, lost, and grew through it all," Boateng said in a clip uploaded to Instagram which included highlights from his career.

"Football has given me a lot, now it's time to move on. Not because I have to, but because I'm ready.”