World Cup winner Andre Schurrle and others who retired early - in pictures

Germany international, 29, had his contract with Borussia Dortmund cancelled on Wednesday

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Germany winger Andre Schurrle announced his retirement on Friday, aged just 29.

On Wednesday, Borussia Dortmund cancelled the former Chelsea player's contract by mutual consent with a year left to run and Schurrle said the decision to retire "has long been maturing in me".

"You always have to play a certain role to survive in the business, otherwise you'll lose your job and won't get another one," the 2014 World Cup winner told Der Spiegel magazine.

"Only performance on the pitch counts. Vulnerability and weakness shouldn't exist at any time," he added having come to the conclusion, "I don't need any more applause".

Above is a gallery of other players who retired from the game at a relatively young age.

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GRONINGEN, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 27: Arjen Robben of FC Groningen during the   Contract signing Arjen Robben  FC Groningen at the Hitachi capital mobility stadium  on June 27, 2020 in Groningen Netherlands (Photo by Erwin Otten/Soccrates/Getty Images)
GRONINGEN, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 27: Arjen Robben of FC Groningen during the Contract signing Arjen Robben FC Groningen at the Hitachi capital mobility stadium on June 27, 2020 in Groningen Netherlands (Photo by Erwin Otten/Soccrates/Getty Images)