Former Real Madrid player Guti – real name Jose Maria Gutierrez – has decided to retire from football aged 35.
According to AS, the midfielder claimed he was 'disappointed' that talks this week with Premier League club West Ham United had broken down and therefore made up his mind to call time on his playing career.
Guti, who has not played since being released by Turkish side Besiktas last November following the appointment of new boss Carlos Carvalhal, was also thought to be interesting clubs from Qatar but did not receive any concrete offers.
The Madrid-born player has had a glittering career since his debut for Real’s C team in 1994, picking up five La Ligas, three Champions Leagues, two Intercontinental Cups, one European Super Cup, four Supercopas de Espana and a Turkish Cup.
He leaves football having appeared in 582 official games – 542 with Real Madrid and 40 with Besiktas – and scored 89 goals, 77 for Los Blancos and 12 in Turkey.
