Robin van Persie to retire at the end of this season

Former Arsenal, Manchester United and Netherlands striker Robin van Persie has decided to retire from football at the end of the season.

In January, the 35-year-old RVP made his returned to Feyenoord, where he made his debut aged 17. In 102 appearances for his country, Van Persie has scored 50 goals. 

While plying his trades in England, Van Persie won the FA Cup with Arsenal and a Premier League title at United.

"When do I need to quit? That is gonna be at the end of this season," Van Persie said.

"I will clock 36 years soon and it means I will have been a professional footballer for 18 years. From five years of the age, I've just been involved in football."

Van Persie, who played with Fenerbahce in Turkey, from the moment he left Manchester United and reunited with Feyenoord, told Dutch publication AD he had "lost the fun" before returning to his homeland.

"I also do not subscribe to the believe that my return to Feyenoord has been successful if we win the league," he added.

"How successful is it? If you look at the whole picture, this is actually it. I had lost the fun. That's not how I planned it to end, without excitement. The fun has returned at Feyenoord.

"As a football player, I want to win and the cup win felt nice, but that is not the measurement to determine whether it is successful or not.

"I wanted to share my experiences to give something back. I am committed to helping my colleagues.

"I see it as something more important than just winning a title or not. That is my goal, that is exactly what the club also want, but if we win title or not, it is not decisive for me on whether my return is successful or not."