Serbian defender has decided to call time on his professional career as a football player.

Former Manchester United defender and captain has been forced to end his career due to recurring problems with injuries.

The 34-year-old has announced his retirement in a statement on his old club’s official website.

“The time has come for me to hang up my boots.”

“The injuries I have had in the last few years have taken their toll,” he said, thanking all the players he played with and all the coaches and staff he worked with at Manchester United.

Nemanja Vidic won 15 trophies in his eight years playing at Old Trafford where he played the total of 300 matches for Manchester United in all competitions. He also scored 21 goals during his time at United.

The Serbian defender joined Manchester United from Red Star Belgrade in 2006.

He went on to win five Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, three League Cups, a Club World Cup and three Community Shields in his eight years at Old Trafford.

Vidic left Manchester United when David Moyes took the reins from Ser Alex Ferguson, moving to Inter Milan when his contract expired in 2014.

Following Walter Mazzarri’s departure as head coach, Nemanja Vidic was relegated to bench by Roberto Mancini in favour of younger defenders. Nemanja Vidic failed to establish himself as a first-team regular and was rumoured for a swift return to the Premier League.

Vidic’s agent denied reports of a return to England on numerous occasions, but Nemanja Vidic was again linked with Aston Villa this January, only a couple of weeks after Nemanja Vidic ended his contract with Inter by mutual consent.

Serbian defender will be remembered as one of the bravest and strongest players ever to wear the Manchester United shirt.

The 34-year-old centre-back was the fan favourite and he was also the player who had the best win ratio (68%) of any Manchester United player to play over 100 games for the club.

Manchester United have thanked Nemanja for his eight years of service and wished him all the best for his retirement.

Vidic’s announcement came on the day of Manchester United’s fourth-round FA Cup match against Derby County. The Red Devils are standing at 3.2 (11/5) @Coral to win both at half-time and full-time at their trip to Derby.