Former Leeds United defender Ian Harte retires from football at 37

Former Leeds United and Republic of Ireland left-back Ian Harte has announced his retirement from football at the age of 37.

Harte had been without a club after being released by Bournemouth following their promotion to the Premier League earlier this summer.

He announced the news on Twitter this morning.

"The time has come to hang the boots up," he wrote. "I have had over 20 years playing football and loved every minute of it!!! Now to the next chapter 👍🏻"

Harte's first club was Leeds, and he made over 200 Premier League appearances in nine seasons for the Whites before joining Spanish outfit Levante in 2004.

He returned to England in 2007 with Sunderland, but struggled under former Ireland teammate Roy Keane and lasted just a season on Wearside.

Harte then enjoyed some successful seasons in the twilight of his career between 2009 and 2015 for Carlisle United, Reading and Bournemouth before he was released by the Cherries earlier this summer.

For his country, Harte scored 12 goals in 63 appearances for the Boys in Green.