Medical concerns force Chivu to retire

BUCHAREST, Feb 01, 2014 - Former Romania captain Cristian Chivu is to terminate his contract with Serie A side Inter Milan and retire from football for medical reasons, his agent Victor Becali told press agency Mediafax on Saturday.

The 33-year-old defender, who captained Romania in 50 of his 75 internationals but retired from the national side in 2011 after a series of injuries, has failed to recover from a dislocated toe he suffered in August 2012.

Despite two subsequent operations, he has not played since May last year.

"He has had medical problems and wants to retire," Becali said.

"In the days to come he will terminate his contract with Inter.

"I believe it is an irrevocable decision as he said he cannot continue to play."

Chivu, three-times Romanian player of the year, began his career with second-tier Romanian side CSM Resita in 1996 before moving to top-flight side Universitatea Craiova two years later.

His big break came when he was snapped up by Dutch giants Ajax in 1999, becoming club captain two years later.

His performances for them gained him a move to Serie outfit AS Roma in 2003 and then to Inter in 2007, where he won the treble of Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup in the 2009/10 season.

In 2010, though, his injury problems really began when he fractured his skull and had to wear a helmet as protection on the pitch.