Former Leicester City midfielder Yuki Abe has announced he's retiring.

Abe will retire at the end of the year at the age of 40.

The defensive midfielder played 58 games for Leicester from 2010 to 2012, while it has turned into a total of 501 games for the Urawa Red Diamonds, where he is currently captain.

"Around New Year's last year, I thought this season would be my last," he told the Japan Times.

"It's been my ultimate challenge."