MX23RW : Thursday, May 16 09:13:43| >> :600:217127497:217127497:

Croatian forward Ivica Olic announces retirement

Former Bayern Munich and Croatia forward Ivica Olic announces his retirement from professional football.

Former Bayern Munich and Croatia forward Ivica Olic has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 37-year-old started his career with Croatian side Marsonia in 1996, while he also represented the likes of Hertha Berlin, Dinamo Zagreb, CSKA Moscow and Hamburger SV before moving to Bayern in the summer of 2009.

The forward won one Bundesliga title and reached two Champions League finals during his time at the Allianz Arena, but his club career ended in disappointment after being relegated to the third tier with 1860 Munich last season.

Olic, who scored at the 2002 and 2014 World Cups for Croatia, has said that he "can leave football with a clear conscience".

"I'm ready to hang up my boots," Olic told Bild. "I think I can leave football with a clear conscience. I am happy, having fun with myself, I had a lot of success and I can say that I gave everything in training and matches. For me it was a dream to play at a high level for so long.

"I'm sorry to go when the club were relegated to the third division. I love this traditional club, but in it there have been problems for a long time."

Olic's international career saw him manage 20 goals in 104 appearances between 2002 and 2015.

ID:301202: cacheID:301202:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1926:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England football manager Steve McClaren watches his team lose 3-2 to Croatia in a Group E Euro 2008 Qualifying game at Wembley, in north London, 21 November 2007
Read Next:
OTD: McClaren reign ends with Croatia defeat
>
Read more about Ivica Olic Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37277393336088
2Arsenal37275589286186
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs371961271611063
6Chelsea371791175621360
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle371761481602157
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd37176145558-357
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton371212135560-548
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!