Ajax's defender Andre Ooijer to retire

Ajax defender Andre Ooijer has announced he will retire at the end of the season. The 55-times-caped former Netherlands international, 37, who has also played for PSV and Blackburn Rovers during his career, made the announcement today on Ajax's club website. He said: "In recent months I have already hinted that I had the idea that I could not play another season. "My role has changed in recent years. Last week I told the coach how I thought about it. I wanted this weekend to talk it over with some people and think carefully about the decision I have finally announced this morning." Ajax coach Frank de Boer admitted Ooijer's announcement did not come as a shock. "It was not a surprise for us, because I speak with Andre on a regular basis," he 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."