BERLIN, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Kevin Kuranyi brought down the curtain on his professional football career, the former Germany striker announced in an official statement on Friday.

"I will retire from football. Why now? Because it was a process over several months to come to this conclusion, and because it was a very difficult for me to say goodbye," Kuranyi said.

The 35-year-old striker, who played recently for Hoffenheim, started his professional career at Stuttgart in 2001 before he joined Schalke, Dynamo Moscow and Hoffenheim.

The Brazilian-born striker made his Bundesliga breakthrough in Stuttgart where he provided 18 assists and 40 goals in 99 outings. In the summer 2005, Kuranyi agreed on a transfer to Schalke to become a key player after ensuring 71 goals and 30 assists in 162 competitive games.

After five years at Schalke, Kuranyi moved to Dynamo Moscow where he netted 50 goals in 123 official encounters. The striker was also part of Germany' s national team from 2003 until 2008 but was never selected again after leaving the squad unasked during the qualification game against Russia in 2008.

The prolific striker revealed that he had several offers but denied to sign a new contract, as he "was very demanding in the search for a new club. Not with financial concerns but as regard to the sporting project and distance from Stuttgart."

He added, "I wanted to continue playing. But not at all costs. And the price of being separated from my family was too high for me. For this reason alone, I can live with my decision very well."

【体坛英语资讯：Former Germany international Kuranyi retires】相关文章：

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Jodie Foster to get leadership award

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Anne Hathaway is the new ambassador for Lancome

★ 体坛英语资讯：Trail Blazers hand 12th defeat to slumping Heat

★ 体坛英语资讯：Olympic torch climbers to start last spurt to peak of Qomolangma on Thursday

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Hatcher defends herself over deal

★ 体坛英语资讯：France visit Italy for revenge, England in peril

★ 体坛英语资讯：FIFA lifts Iraq ban

★ 体坛英语资讯：Maradona wants to coach Argentine Olympic team

★ 体坛英语资讯：Doctor: Yao Ming recovers well after foot surgery

★ 体坛英语资讯：Chelsea boss Mourinho leaves club