Veteran striker Smith calls time on playing career

Matt Smith played for eight clubs in the English Football League

Striker Matt Smith has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35.

The much-travelled forward entered the professional game late at 22 and went on to score 139 goals with Oldham Athletic, Macclesfield Town, Leeds United, Fulham, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers, Millwall and Salford City.

Among his highlights reel were two goals scored against Liverpool which helped third-tier Oldham knock the Anfield giants out in the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2013.

Smith said he made the decision with a "heavy heart" but that his playing career had "filled him with pride".

Smith, the son-in-law of former Newcastle manager Steve Bruce, scored 24 goals for Salford City in League Two last season, and is retiring despite having offers to continue playing.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement after over 600 games as a player at almost every level of the English pyramid,” he said on social media.

“To enter the professional game so late at the age of 22 was really a dream come true and in truth I never ever thought imaginable.

“Fourteen seasons, 527 games and nearly 150 goals across the entire EFL for some truly incredible and historic clubs is a feat that leaves me filled with pride.”