Former England striker Peter Crouch has announced his retirement from football at the age of 38.

The 6'7" forward was released by Burnley at the end of the season - having had spells at Southampton, Liverpool, Portsmouth, Tottenham and Stoke among others.

Crouch says if you'd told him at 17 he'd play in World Cups, a Champions League final, win the FA Cup and get 100 Premier League goals he would have "avoided you at all costs".

He says his career has been a "dream come true".

"I have had 23 years to prepare for this moment but, now it is here, you realise nothing can prepare you at all. The time has come refer to myself as a 'former footballer'; this incredible journey I have been on since I was 16 is over.

"My ambition was to play until I was 40, so it is scary saying the word 'retirement'. It has left me emotional and it feels weird not to be preparing for a new campaign but circumstances over the last couple of seasons have made me realise that this is the right thing to do.

"So this announcement feels a bit surreal. We have just welcomed our fourth child, Jack, into the family and the wonderful chaos that comes with a new baby means it hasn't really hit me that I haven't gone back for pre-season training. Life is hectic in a brilliant way.

But I know there is going to be a point when it really hits me. Football has opened up avenues that I never thought were possible when I started scoring goals in the Hayes and District league as an Under-10. Football, simply, made my dreams come true."