Southampton's Mark Draper has retired from the game due to persistent injury problems. The 33-year-old midfielder joined the Saints from Aston Villa in July 2000 for £1.5million but has only made 28 starts since then due to a series of problems.
Draper told the club's official website: "It is the ankle which has actually forced my retirement but I have had persistent problems with the knees too. It is just wear and tear but there is no way I could carry on playing. I suppose I have known for the best part six months that I would be struggling to make it but it is still a big disappointment to have to finish."
Draper also played for Notts County and Leicester after starting out at Meadow Lane as a professional 15 years.
Filed by Johnny Proby
