This newsitem has been supplied by PSV.nl
35-year-old Jaap Stam has announced his retirement from professional football with immediate effect, citing injury problems and a lack of drive behind his decision. The former PSV defender explained at a press conference that he can no longer motivate himself to carry on. Stam spent two-and-a-half seasons with PSV.
Jaap Stam had had spells at FC Zwolle, Cambuur Leeuwarden and Willem II, before he joined PSV in the winter break of the 1995/96 season. He made 76 appearances for PSV, and scored eleven goals. Stam clinched the Dutch title with PSV in 1997 and won the KNVB Cup in 1996. He made a move to Manchester United in the summer of 1998. The defender spent three years at Old Trafford, lifting both the Premiership and Champions League trophies and the World Cup. He left Manchester in 2001 and spent five seasons with Lazio Roma, and AC Milan before he completed a deal with Ajax in the summer of 2006.
Jaap Stam held a conference at the Amsterdam Arena on Monday afternoon to announce his immediate retirement from football. 'The motivation and drive were no longer there', he said. 'I wanted to retire at the start of the new season but was convinced to carry on. Now I can't continue. I'm not a player who can play at 50 per cent. I'm disappointed in myself that I can no longer motivate myself. I hope the Ajax fans understand. Ajax is the most beautiful club in the Netherlands to me.'
List of achievements:
Born: 17 July1972 in Kampen
Clubs: DOS Kampen, FC Zwolle, Cambuur Leeuwarden, Willem II, PSV, Manchester United, Lazio Roma, AC Milan and Ajax
Honours: Champions League 1999, World Cup 1999, Dutch title (1997), Premier League title (1999, 2000, 2001), KNVB Cup (1996, 2007), FA Cup (1999), Italian Cup (2004), Johan Cruijff Shield (1996, 1997, 2006, 2007).
Internationals: 67 (3 goals)
Tournaments: European championships (1996, 2000, 2004), World Cup (1998)
