MADRID, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Athletic Club Bilbao's veteran defender, Oscar de Marcos announced on Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the season.
De Marcos, who will be 36-years old in April, is currently in his 16th season with the club and last Sunday against Espanyol, he made his 560th first team appearance.
That made him Athletic's joint second-highest appearance maker, alongside Iker Muniain and only behind goalkeeper Jose Angel Iribar, who played 614 matches for the Basque club.
De Marcos told a press conference at Athletic's 'Lezama' training ground, that he had informed coach Ernesto Valverde of his decision early in January.
"It comes from a long way back, but I have had moments when I thought I had to continue and if you have doubts, you have to carry on," said De Marcos, who has made 19 appearances in La Liga and six in the Europa League this season as Athletic currently sits fourth in La Liga and has already assured a place in the last-16 of the Europa League.
"I think this could be a good final year, I waited to see if my body told me I had to carry on and it hasn't said that to me. My idea was to end my career still being useful until the very last day. I had doubts over whether I should retire other years, but not this time," added the defender.
De Marcos began his career as a forward and in his 16 seasons at Athletic, he has also played as a winger and an attacking midfielder, before spending the last few years at right back. So far he has scored 39 first team goals.
He is also known for his charity work, which includes weekly visits to children in local hospitals, as well as close season trips to Africa and Latin America to help with charity work. ■
