Simon Deli ends his career

Slavia Prague will pay tribute to him on Sunday 8 March before the kick-off of their Czech league match against Sparta Prague.

This marks the end of a long and distinguished football career for Simon Deli. The Ivorian defender, who made his debut in 2010 with Africa Sports in Ivory Coast before moving to Europe, played for several clubs.

However, the 34-year-old has been forced to hang up his boots for good due to injury. The injury is so persistent that his body can no longer cope. He made the announcement on Saturday 7 March in an interview with his club, Slavia Prague. Simon Deli is proud of his career, the highlight of which was at Slavia Prague.

We are here to officially announce the end of my career. My beautiful and successful career. I knew I wanted to finish as a Slavia player. I succeeded. It's symbolic. I've played in many places, but here I've had the best moments. Slavia has made me a satisfied footballer who can be proud of himself. I am who I am thanks to Slavia. But I wanted to say goodbye with the title, or at least after a great game on the pitch. But my health won't allow it, I have to stop now because of the injury. I constantly feel pain in my thigh muscle. I don't want to push myself anymore, I have to finally listen to my body. Finishing at Slavia was the most important thing, I don't want anything else.