Premiership: Injury forces di Matteo to retire

Chelsea midfielder Roberto di Matteo has announced his retirement from the game at the age of 31 because of injury.

The former Italian international has lost his 18-month battle against the triple leg fracture he suffered against Swiss club St Gallen in September 2000.

Di Matteo joined Chelsea for a then club record £4.9m (€7.54m) from Lazio in July 1996 and famously scored Wembley’s fastest goal after just 43 seconds of the 1997 FA Cup final win over Middlesbrough.

He said: ‘‘I have worked hard to try and get back but unfortunately I am still experiencing problems and I have had to face up to the sad decision that my playing days are over.’’