BERLIN, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Kevin Kuranyi brought down the curtain on his professional football career, the former Germany striker announced in an official statement on Friday.
"I will retire from football. Why now? Because it was a process over several months to come to this conclusion, and because it was a very difficult for me to say goodbye," Kuranyi said.
The 35-year-old striker, who played recently for Hoffenheim, started his professional career at Stuttgart in 2001 before he joined Schalke, Dynamo Moscow and Hoffenheim.
The Brazilian-born striker made his Bundesliga breakthrough in Stuttgart where he provided 18 assists and 40 goals in 99 outings. In the summer 2005, Kuranyi agreed on a transfer to Schalke to become a key player after ensuring 71 goals and 30 assists in 162 competitive games.
After five years at Schalke, Kuranyi moved to Dynamo Moscow where he netted 50 goals in 123 official encounters. The striker was also part of Germany' s national team from 2003 until 2008 but was never selected again after leaving the squad unasked during the qualification game against Russia in 2008.
The prolific striker revealed that he had several offers but denied to sign a new contract, as he "was very demanding in the search for a new club. Not with financial concerns but as regard to the sporting project and distance from Stuttgart."
He added, "I wanted to continue playing. But not at all costs. And the price of being separated from my family was too high for me. For this reason alone, I can live with my decision very well."
Kuranyi played lately for Hoffenheim where he remained a substitution player since the summer 2015. Overall Kuranyi marked 209 goals in 533 appearances in his career.
体坛英语资讯:Ghana star shortlisted for FIFA World Best player award
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Zhang wins high bar gold at gymnastics worlds
体坛英语资讯:Clijsters wins WTA Championships
体坛英语资讯:F.C. Copenhagen takes greatest leading advantage in football leagues of Europe
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Pang/Tong crowned in figure skating Grand Prix in Japan
体坛英语资讯:FIFA asks British newspaper for more evidence
体坛英语资讯:Sampras and Rusedski square off in Chengdu Open final
体坛英语资讯:Heart attack victim Garcia to retire from soccer
体坛英语资讯:Final four comes in for mens World Cup table tennis
体坛英语资讯:Unbeaten Russia powers past China 3-0 in volleyball worlds
体坛英语资讯:Guarani and Atletico-MG draw in scoreless match
体坛英语资讯:Ronaldo and Messi at the double as Madrid and Barca both win in Spain
体坛英语资讯:Stunner team Mainz recaptures German Bundesliga top position
体坛英语资讯:Two-game ban for Barca keeper Pinto
体坛英语资讯:Santos and Vitoria draw 1-1
体坛英语资讯:Woods aims for quick return to summit at WGC-HSBC Champions
体坛英语资讯:Webber blows chance to win F1 Championship: Brabham
体坛英语资讯:Olympic 800m race champion Jelimo promises comeback
体坛英语资讯:Japans Fukuhara looks forward to upcoming Asian Games
体坛英语资讯:Sevilla lose winger Navas to ankle operation until end of year
体坛英语资讯:Ronaldo doubles as Madrid win to remain top in Spain
虚拟现实会成为现实吗?
体坛英语资讯:Support S African women footballers, says president as team wins
体坛英语资讯:FIFA president expresses sadness over death in Kenyans stadium
体坛英语资讯:Mizutani enters table tennis World Cups semifinal
体坛英语资讯:Hotspur stuns Inter, while Barca stall at Copenhagen
体坛英语资讯:Wang Hao wins mens table tennis World Cup for the third time
长征胜利80周年词汇盘点
体坛英语资讯:Phelps, Zeta-Jones headline Mission Hills Star Trophy
体坛英语资讯:Batista to be named Argentina coach