Andre Schurrle retires from football at 29

Germany international Andre Schurrle has announced his retirement from football at the age of 29.

The 2014 World Cup winner terminated his contract at Borussia Dortmund earlier this week following a loan spell at Spartak Moscow.

In a touching Instagram post, the player explained: "I want to let you know that I’m stepping away from playing professional football!!

"On behalf of myself and my family I want to thank everybody who was a part of these phenomenal years!”

During his career, he enjoyed success at Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea, Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund, the winger has opened up on the loneliness he suffered at the top of the game.

"The support and love you shared with me was unbelievable and more I could have ever asked for!

"Now I’m ready and open for all the beautiful possibilities that are coming towards me."

Schurrle has revealed the personal sacrifices he made for his career, stating that as "the depths became deeper, the highlights were less and less".

Talking to Der Spiegel, the 29-year-old revealed that: "The decision has matured in me for a long time."

He added: "You always have to play a certain role in order to survive in the business, otherwise you will lose your job and you will not get a new one."

At the age of just 18, Schurrle made his Bundesliga debut with Mainz and earned a move to Leverkusen after two seasons.

Chelsea came calling in 2013 although the winger left after 18 months in West London, halfway through the club's title-winning campaign under Jose Mourinho.