Henchoz announces retirement

Former Liverpool and Blackburn defender Stephane Henchoz has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect.

The 34-year-old has been without a club since his contract with Barclays Premier League side Blackburn expired in June.

He told Swiss television channel TSR he now intends to study for his coaching badge.

Henchoz, who began his career in 1992 with Neuchatel Xamax, represented Switzerland on 72 occasions and enjoyed a successful period with Liverpool, whom he joined from Blackburn in 1999.

He won the Uefa Cup, FA Cup and League Cup in 2001, going on to make 205 appearances for the Reds.

Spells with Celtic and Wigan followed before a return to Blackburn, his final club as a professional footballer.