After a 21-year playing career, Arjen Robben has declared his retirement from football.

The former Dutch international played almost 300 times for Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, winning league titles in each of the countries he visited.

However, after coming out of retirement in 2020 and rejoining boyhood club Groningen, the 37-year-old has suffered with injuries. After making his second debut last season, he was sidelined for seven months.

Robben also has 96 caps for the Netherlands, making him the seventh most capped player in the country’s history.

In a heartfelt statement, Robben said: “I have decided to stop my active football career. A year ago I announced my comeback as a FC Groningen player. I embarked on this adventure with great energy and enthusiasm.

“I only had to deal with physical setbacks quite quickly, which prevented me from playing matches for a very long time. After a long road of trial and error I finally managed to play the last games of the season.

“Looking back on the past season, I have to come to the honest conclusion that the number of match minutes was disappointing.

“I knew in advance that this could happen, but I took up the challenge and gave everything to make it work. And not only me, everyone within the club and in my immediate environment has helped and supported me at all times.

“I am also not unaffected by the warm reactions and support from all football fans.”

He made his name with Groningen in 2000, then went to PSV two years later, winning the Eredivisie in his first season.

Robben subsequently moved to Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles, two League Cups, and the FA Cup under Jose Mourinho.

The Dutchman moved to Real Madrid in 2007, winning La Liga in 2008, before joining Bayern Munich a year later, where he would have the most success.

During his time at the Allianz Arena, Robben won eight Bundesliga titles and five German Cups before announcing a short-lived retirement.

Robben got 96 caps for the Netherlands, but despite playing in the 2010 World Cup final, he was unable to bring home any silverware for his country.