Released West Ham fullback Alvaro Arbeloa has announced his retirement.

After a disappointing time at West Ham, where he managed just three appearances, the 34-year-old former Liverpool and Real Madrid fullback is calling it a day.

Arbeloa told Marca: "The time has come to say goodbye. I have decided to hang up my boots and quit football. Many people have encouraged me to continue, that I have the physique to continue playing, but it has been more of a mental issue.

"For me, football has been about fighting day by day, competing. The option to continue playing in China or the United States doesn't interest me. Going to training in order to give your all, going in on your day off ... the time has come to say enough because what is being presented to me now is not what I like about football."

He added: "Madrid knows that I'll be there whenever they need me because it's my home, the club of my life. But I will never call to ask. They know they can count on me. In the short term I don't know, I only just left and I'm announcing my retirement officially in MARCA now, nobody knew anything before this interview. I have a title of sporting director if I want it. When I was a player I was curious to know what I would do, but now I see that it is very difficult."