Fabricio Coloccini ends playing days at 39

Former Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini has announced his retirement at the age of 39.
The ex-Argentina international spent eight years at St James’ Park having joined from Deportivo La Coruna in 2008, helping the team into the Premier League in 2010 and making 275 appearances for the club.
He returned to his homeland in 2016 to join San Lorenzo in Buenos Aires and finished his career with another of the city’s top-flight clubs Aldosivi.
🎶 Oh Coloccini… 🎶— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 29, 2021
“I was immersed in a dream for 22 years of my life that has given me much more than I imagined,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I fulfilled all my dreams as a soccer player, (and) know that I was happy during this trip which I would have liked never to end.
“But unfortunately it has an expiration date. Like everything.”
Newcastle sent their thanks, tweeting: “Congratulations on a fantastic career, Colo and all the very best with your next chapter.”
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.

‘Newcastle’s board said I was over the hill, so I left and played 108 consecutive games and won the European Cup – not a bad way to answer that accusation!’: Ex-Magpies defender reflects on career highlight after proving former side wrong

‘Parma viewed him as the perfect replacement for Adrian Mutu, who’d left to sign for Chelsea. But Manchester United’s interest was much more concrete’: Cristiano Ronaldo's 2003 transfer details revealed by former Sporting director of football