Toucan

Former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur defender Stephen Carr has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 32.

The ex-Republic of Ireland regular, who won 44 caps in a distinguished international career, has decided to hang up his boots after failing to win a contract for this season.

Carr was released by the Magpies in the summer after four seasons at St James' Park, which were marred by a series of injuries.

The right-back's failure to prove his long-term fitness resulted in him being free transferred, and despite reported interest from a number of clubs in the Premier League and the Championship, Carr has chosen to quit the sport.

In an 11-year career, Carr - who played for just two professional clubs - made more than 300 league appearances.

He missed out on playing for Ireland at the 2002 World Cup because of injury and saw his career blighted by foot and knee problems in his final two years following his £2 million transferfrom north London to Tyneside.

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