Lehmann announces retirement

Jens Lehmann will retire from football at the end of the season.

The 40-year-old Stuttgart goalkeeper announced at a press conference today he will bring an end to his career when the Bundesliga season finishes on May 8.

"That is what the family council has decided," said the former Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper.

Lehmann gave an indication he would hang up his gloves at the end of the campaign earlier this month when he confirmed he would not be extending his contract at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

He said at the time staying on would be unfair on his understudies at Stuttgart, Sven Ulreich and Alexander Stolz.

Lehmann won 61 caps for Germany, and was the first choice keeper at the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008.

Lehmann joined Stuttgart from Arsenal in 2008 after winning the Premier League title in 2004 and FA Cup in 2005 with the Gunners as well as reaching the Champions League final in 2006.

The German was sent off after just 20 minutes in that game as Arsenal lost 2-1 to Barcelona.

He moved to Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in 2003, with whom he won the Bundesliga title in 2002.

He started his career with Schalke, winning the UEFA Cup in 1997, before a brief stint with AC Milan in 1998.