Former Black Stars defender, John Paintsil, has confirmed his retirement from football.

The 34-year-old full back who had his last spell with South African Club Maritzburg United made his retirement public on his official Instagram page on social media.

“John Paintsil the Jeonju Man will like to announce my retirement from being a soccer player.”

“I thank God for bringing me this far. Was a long journey from 1999 to 2016. 2 world cups and 5 AFCON and 89 CAPS FOR GHANA.”

Paintsil spent 17-years in the profession and had stints with Berekum Arsenal and Liberty Professionals before departing the shores of

Ghana to play for clubs such as Maccabi Tel Aviv , Hapoel Tel Aviv,  West Ham United,  Fulham, Leicester City, Hapoel Tel Aviv,  Santos.

John Paintsil played in the 2010 AFCON finals with the Black Stars and was a member of Roy Hodgson’s Fulham that reached the final of the Europa Cup in 2010.

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