By Rahman Osman
Follow Rahman on Twitter: @iamrahmanosman
Ex-Ghana captain Stephen Appiah will officially announce his retirement from football this week, GHANASoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.
The 33-year-old has not played football the past two years and will officially confirm he has hung up his boots from the game that made him a global icon.
The former Fenerbahce star could have lasted for long on the pitch but for a career-threatening injury he suffered in 2008.
Appiah's last spell of club football came at a short term deal with Serbian side Vojvodina.
The former Juventus star captained Ghana at their debut World Cup appearance in Germany 2006.
He quit international football after playing a bit-part role at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa after making 67 caps and scoring 14 goals.
Appiah is one of the few Ghanaian players who have played for all national teams.
He represented several Italian clubs including Udinese, Brescia, Parma and Cesena.
Appiah has hinted he could return to football as a coach but he is yet to decide.