Former Germany goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand announces retirement

Former Germany goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand has confirmed he is to retire from football, at the age of 36.

Hildebrand, who won seven international caps, holds a Bundlesiga record of 885 minutes without conceding a goal, but having been unable to find a club since leaving Eintracht Frankfurt last summer, he has decided to call it a day.

"Every goodbye is difficult. With your support it will be easier for me. I want to thank every single fan, club and companion in my last 17 years as a professional footballer," Hildebrand said.

"This record was part of an outstanding team performance. If anyone manages to beat it, it will be Bayern and Manuel Neuer."

Bayern Munich 'keeper Neuer did in fact come close to beating the record in 2011, after going 770 minutes without conceding. But, he was unable to unseat Hildebrand, who achieved the feat across the 2002/3 and 2003/4 seasons.

Hildebrand won the last of his seven caps in 2007, having been part of the Germany squad at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.

He also enjoyed a successful club career, making 301 Bundlesiga appearances for Stuttgart, Hoffenheim, Schalke and Eintracht Frankfurt, winning the championship with Stuttgart in 2007.

Hildebrand also turned out for Valencia and Sporting Lisbon, winning the Copa del Rey during his time in Spain.

He had not played since December 2014, after undergoing hip surgery in April 2015, and has accepted that the time is right to call it quits.

"I love football, but I am at an age when one is allowed to stop," he added.

"Apart from that, my health is important to me and I want to be able to have a bit of a kick around with my son."

As for the future, Hildebrand has started the process of attaining his coaching badges, and revealed he would be keen to work for Stuttgart again in the future.

"I am rooted to the club and can well imagine doing something at VfB (Stuttgart) in the future. I have good contacts," he said.