Football News

Jaap Stam retires from football

Jaap Stam retires from football


Jaap Stam retires from football

Man Utd and Holland legend Jaap Stam has retired from football today. Stam, 35, played for United from 1997 to 2001 and was part of Manchester United's treble winning team of 1999. Stam became the most expensive Dutch player in history when he was bought by United for around 11 million pounds in 1997. However, he has decided to quit football for good.

"I'm not up to the standard that's needed. I already wanted to stop at the beginning of the season but I convinced myself that I could go on," he told a press conference Monday.

"Now, I can't go on. I'm not the type of player who gives only 50 percent and I never was."

Stam joined Ajax in 2006 and it turned out it would be where he ended his career - six months earlier than intended.