Former Atletico Madrid defender Luis Perea announces retirement

Former Atletico Madrid and Colombia international defender Luis Perea has announced his retirement from football.

The 36-year-old announced the decision after more than a year out of action with a knee injury which saw him miss the 2014 World Cup.

"I have taken the decision to retire from football and bring my career to an end. I think it is important that the country should know," he said.

"My family sped up the process. They are based in Spain and we thought that we could be apart for a while and then see what happened, but I had a chat with my children and they practically demanded their dad come home."

Perea began his career at Colombian side Independiente Medellin, then signing for Boca Juniors in 2003 and winning the Intercontinental Cup ahead of a move to Spanish giants Atletico.

Over an eight-year period, Perea made 295 appearances the club, winning the Europa League twice before joining Mexican side Cruz Azul as a free agent in 2012, where he picked up winners medals for the Copa MX and CONCACAF Champions League.