Nakata retires

ByReuters

Published 03/07/2006 at 13:15 GMT

Hidetoshi Nakata, Japan's best-known soccer player and a veteran of three World Cups, announced his retirement on Monday, an official at his management company said.

FOOTBALL 2006 Japan Hidetoshi Nakata

Image credit: Imago

The 29-year-old midfielder was named Man of the Match when Japan drew with Croatia in the World Cup but his performance was not enough to help his team advance to the second round in Germany last month.

"Nakata said on his Internet page that he is retiring. There is no mistake," the official said.

Nakata began his career in 1995 with Japanese team Bellmare Hiratsuka and moved to Italian side Perugia soon after his World Cup debut in 1998.

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He also had stints in Italy with several other teams before playing for English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers in the 2005-2006 season.

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