John Heitinga has announced his retirement from professional football.
The 32-year-old Dutch defender has called time on his career with Eredivisie giants Ajax where it all begun 15 years ago.
Heitinga came through Ajax's youth academy before making his debut in 2001 before moving to Spain with Atletico Madrid in 2008.
He is best known in England for his time spent with Everton between 2009 and 2014. During his spell at Goodison Park, the World Cup runner-up made 140 appearances for the Toffees.
After leaving Merseyside, the former Holland international made his way to Fulham and then onto Hertha Berlin in Germany before returning to his beloved Ajax last summer.
During his two spells in Amsterdam, Heitinga won the Dutch national championship twice (2002, 2004), the KNVB Cup three times ( 2002, 2006, 2007) and the Johan Cruijff Shield four times (2002, 2005, 2006, 2007).
He will now remain with the club and move into a role where he will focus on coaching for the youth teams, the Ajax Reserves and the A selection.
Heitinga said: “My ultimate wish was to return to Amsterdam and, at the end of the season, to be able to hoist the championship trophy for the fans for the third time. But in December, I realised that it was time to put an end to my career as a player.
“The farewell comes a bit earlier than planned. But I'll always be an Ajacied and I am looking forward to this new stage in my life."
John Heitinga retires:https://t.co/T0D19HTh1kpic.twitter.com/B3mVVsbFDJ
— AFC Ajax (English) (@AFCAjax_EN) February 2, 2016
