Dugarry hangs up boots

FORMER Birmingham striker Christophe Dugarry has announced his retirement from the professional game.

The 32-year-old, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, revealed his decision to quit the game in an interview with French paper L’Equipe yesterday.

Dugarry began his professional career with Bordeaux back in 1988 and enjoyed spells with AC Milan and Barcelona before joining Birmingham on loan in January 2003.

His inspirational form for the Blues was central to keeping the club in the Premiership and he was rewarded with a two-year contract in the summer of 2003. However, he failed to settle in the midlands and complained of being homesick for France.

Dugarry, capped 55 times by France, was also a member of the Euro 2000-winning squad.