Sergi chooses retirement ahead of Hammers
Atletico Madrid defender Sergi Barjuan has retired from professional football.
The former Spain international, who recently received a contract offer from English team West Ham, has decided to call it a day after 12 seasons in the Primera Liga.
“I think the moment has come to leave football and dedicate myself to my family,” said Sergi, who played for nine years at Barcelona before making a move to Atletico in 2002.
“I have not followed it up (the West Ham offer) because my intention is to leave football,” he added.
However the 33-year-old admitted that had Atletico qualified for Europe he would have continued to play.
The Rojiblanco outfit finished a disappointing 11th position in the Primera Liga. “Had we clinched a European place, I would have remained here,” he added.
Sergi won three Primera Liga titles and a European Supercup among other achievements during his time at Barcelona.
