Zola hangs up his boots
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-30 09:37

Former Chelsea favourite Gianfranco Zola announced his retirement from football.

Cagliari's Gianfranco Zola is pursued by Inter-Milan's Ivan Cordoba during their Serie A match in November 2004. [AFP]

The ex-Italian international, who won 35 caps, has played the last two seasons with Serie A outfit Cagliari, based on his native island of Sardinia.

"I think it's for the best," said the dimunitive striker. "The championship finished a while back (May 29), but I needed a little time for reflexion.

"It wasn't easy but I felt the need to devote my time to other things."

Zola, who will be 39 on July 5, spent seven years with Chelsea and was previously with Parma and Napoli.

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