Former Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole has announced his retirement at the age of 32.

The combative former Middlesbrough, Wigan and Sunderland midfielder spent last season in Holland with VVV Venlo until the Eredivisie campaign was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, and has re-evaluated his future plans during lockdown.

He said: “With the current situation, the amount of time I have had at home and a great season in Holland, the time is right for me to look into going down the coaching route.

“Ordinarily I don't think it would have been this year, my aim would have been to play two more seasons.

“It was a difficult decision. If the season hadn't finished like it did in May then things might not have been like this, but I think this is right."