Friday, 15th August, 2014
Former Bayern Munich and Belgium defender Daniel Van Buyten has announced his retirement from professional football.
The 36-year-old, who was released by Bayern Munich at the end of the 2013/14 campaign, represented his nation at the World Cup in Brazil.
And Van Buyten admitted it was a difficult decision to take, but insisted that he is now looking forward to a new life.
"Important decisions are often difficult to make", he wrote in an open letter published in Belgian newspaper La Derniere Heure.
"I have realised that over recent days. And reason often trumps emotion. My final goal was to play at the World Cup and to give something back to my country.
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“Since January I worked hard and prepared for the big event with the utmost professionalism. My body has certainly suffered for it.
“A new life begins for me and I want to spend more time with my wife, my children, and the people I love."
Van Buyten, who counts Standard Liege, Manchester City and Marseille amongst his former employers, joined Bayern Munich from their Bundesliga rivals Hamburg in 2006.
The centre-back made 239 appearances in all competitions for the Bavarians, scoring 28 times.
He earned 83 caps for Belgium and also represented the nation at Under-18 and Under-21 levels.
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