Ooijer set to retire

Ajax defender Andre Ooijer has announced that the current season will be his last as a professional footballer.

Ooijer, 38, – who won six Eredivisie titles with Ajax and PSV while also spending three years with Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League – will retire in May after a terrific 18-year career.

“In recent months I have already hinted several times that I felt that I could not muster another season,” Ooijer said on the club’s official website.

“My role has also changed in recent years. I had a cup of coffee with the coach last week and told him how I feel about it.”

Ajax boss Frank de Boer said the club will miss the Dutch defender, but his decision was not a shock.

“It was not a surprise for us, because I speak with Andre on a regular basis,” de Boer said.

“He hadn’t made a final decision yet the last time we spoke, but he was already leaning toward retiring.”

“It is a combination of his age and his current situation at Ajax. We therefore did not really consider him for next season, although we will certainly miss him.”

Ooijer has made 55 appearances for his country and was an unused substitute in the Netherlands’ 1-0 extra time defeat to Spain in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final.