Paulo calls it a day

  • by Matthew O'Greel
  • Saturday, 17th November 2007

Former Hammer Paulo Wanchope has announced his retirement from professional football.

A succession of knee injuries convinced the 31-year-old striker that enough was enough and he confirmed yesterday that he had decided to call time on a professional career that spanned 13 years.

"I always gave 100 per cent to do things as well as possible," he said.

"Sadly, my last performances were far from good enough and I have taken the decision to retire. It was a difficult decision to take, but it has to be taken.

"The truth is that in the last six months I had to make a great effort to recover after games and training. I gave everything and we all know about my knee problems.

"Of course, I will continue my career related to football as I have a great passion for this sport."

Wanchope was signed by Harry Redknapp in in the summer of 1999 in a £3.5m switch from Derby County.

He went on to make 47 first team appearances for the Hammers, scoring 15 goals in the process.

The 6'4" striker was sold a year after signing for the Irons to Manchester City. He went on to play for Malaga (Spain), Al-Gharrafa (Qutar), Rosario Central (Argentina) and FC Tokyo (Japan) before ending his career with MLS outfit Chigaco Fire.

Delightfully inconsistent, Wanchope, on his day, could be unplayable - yet on another he could easily miss a sitter from three yards. He will be most fondly remembered by Hammers fans for scoring the final goal in the memorable 3-1 Intertoto Cup win in Metz.

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