Kuffour Calls It Quits

Ghanaian defender Samuel Osei Kuffour has announced his decision to quit the game following two years of dwindling fortunes.

The Bayern Munich legend has arrived in his home country after several attempts to get a club before the transfer window shut last week.

The 32-year-old, who won several titles with the German giants, has struggled since leaving the club in 2005, to return to Italy by signing for Roma.

Kuffour failed to impress at Roma and was sent out on loan to Livorno and Ajax, who both refused to give him a permanent deal.

The former Ghana international has decided to call time on his career following the recent disappointments.

His agent Giuseppe Dello Russo said: "He did decline offers from Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga.

He said he wanted to end his career. I am very sad."

The agent admitted that they were in talks with FC Khimki but denied that Russian club pulled out of the deal becasue of fitness problems.

"It was a false report. We showed interest but declined the offer. Sammy would have not felt comfortable over there," Russo said.

Kuffour was relased by Dutch giants Ajax in June after just six months on loan at the club.

Russo blamed Ajax coach Marco van Basten for the club's decision not to hand him a permanent deal.

Kuffour spent 11 seasons with Bayern, raising from the youth teams to be a prominent first-squad member who lifted the UEFA Champions League with the club.

He was an integral part of the Bayern squad that won the 2000-01 Champions League, also scoring the winning goal in the 2001 Intercontinental Cup, being subsequently named man of the match.

 - ghanasoccernet.com