BELGRADE, March 7 - Former Serbia and Montenegro
defender Zoran Mirkovic has retired due to a recurring back
injury at the age of 34.
The Partizan Belgrade and former Juventus full back said he
was unable to carry on after suffering from a discus hernia
problem and a number of other injuries.
"I am not even a pale shadow of my former self and the time
has come for me to call it quits. I've spoken to the manager and
my team mates and this is the most realistic decision I could
come up with," Mirkovic told local media on Tuesday.
"My left leg is going numb all the time and there is no
point in carrying on. It's never easy as soccer is the only way
of life I've ever known but this had to happen at some point in
my life," he said.
Mirkovic has 59 international caps and played for Atalanta
Bergamo as well as Juventus in Serie A. He also had a spell with
Turkish side Fenerbahce.
Champions Partizan are second in the Serbia and Montenegro
first division and trail league leaders Red Star Belgrade by
five points in a two-way title race.