AS Argentina: Pablo Zabaleta retires

Nicknamed "Merlin", the club's icon who arrived in 2010 has been described as the club's greatest-ever player by team-mate Pablo Zabaleta as the curtain starts to come down on his glittering Etihad career.

"These have been wonderful years that gave me the opportunity to enjoy unique and unforgettable moments", Zabaleta said on Twitter.

Former Manchester City and West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35.

"With a lot of emotions, I leave behind one of the best stages of my life". Zabaleta played a total of 107 games with the parakeet team shirt and won the affection of the fans after winning the Copa del Rey in 2006.

Pablo Zabaleta: Ex-Man City and West Ham defender retires

The right-back chose City over Juventus in the summer of 2008, just a day after the club was taken over by Sheikh Mansour and his Abu Dhabi United group. Playing over 300 matches for the club, the Argentine would win two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two league cups and a Community Shield during his time at the club.

He has been heavily linked with Spanish club Espanyol earlier in the year; as he is well known for spending nine years at Premier League club Manchester City after leaving the Catalan giants.

With theArgentine election, the experienced defender played 44 games and went 2014 World Cup runner-up Y of the Copa América 2015. His greatest successes were obtained with the lower categories of the Albiceleste. We will try to process as quickly as possible to protect the rights of the author. Thank you from the bottom of my heart'.