Former Newcastle and Inter Milan defender Davide Santon has announced his retirement at the age of 31.

The decision to call time on a once-promising career came after failing to make a single appearance for Jose Mourinho's Roma last season. Santon was released from his contract in May and, after three months of reflection, cited injuries as his reason to retire.

“I am forced to stop playing," the Italian said. “Not for not having had offers, not for anything else, but because my body, with so many injuries in the past, can't take it anymore. I am forced to do it. I don't want to, but I have to.

“I have my left knee where I didn't have an operation, but it went. It prevents me from many things.

“And then there's the famous right knee, operated on three times. Cartilage removed, all the external meniscus… but as soon as I do minimum exertion, it swells and no longer bends.

“In Serie A you have to push, the right knee doesn't bend, I strained the left leg and the flexor is… gone. Every slightest effort there is always to stretch, to stay still. You play a race, you stay out of five."