Bayer Leverkusen skipper Simon Rolfes to retire at end of season

Bayer Leverkusen captain Simon Rolfes has revealed that he plans to retire from football at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old, who has been capped 26 times at international level by current world champions Germany, made the announcement following his side's 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.

Rolfes, whose contract at Leverkusen runs until June 2015, told the club's official website: "The decision to quit in the next year as a player is not easy for me. However, I was open-minded about many things during my whole 15 years in professional football and also investigated other interests.

"I now think the time has come to make a cut and me develop both professionally and personally. The time in Leverkusen was formative for me.

"Bayer 04 are German giants with regular international presence, here I have become a national player, here I was able to enjoy the Champions League. In the summer I'm going to look back on a great and eventful time at Bayer 04."

The midfielder has yet to complete 90 minutes of action this season after recently undergoing ankle surgery.