Former Wigan Athletic and Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard has announced his retirement from professional football with immediate effect.

The 33-year-old only joined League One side MK Dons during the summer following his release from Ipswich Town.

However, Bullard has revealed that a knee injury suffered in 2009 has prevented him from playing to the level that he aspires to.

"My old knee injury has never allowed me to get back to where I want to be as a football player. It's always hindered me," he told the club's official website. "There are a lot of games in this League and I now know my knee won't allow me to play Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday, it's not built for that now.

"I want to be out there playing but at the same time I know my knee won't allow me to play at my best and to keep my place in the team. I'm hindering myself more than I am helping myself for the future."

Bullard was called up to the England squad in 2008 for World Cup qualifiers with Andorra and Croatia, although he never made an appearance for the Three Lions.