FORMER Manchester United and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane announced his retirement from football today.

The 31-year-old joined newly promoted Serie A side Como on a two-year deal after leaving United at the end of last season, but sustained a knee injury on his debut during a Coppa Italia match against Sampdoria.

Later in August he was removed from the club’s squad list for the league season, and the injury has now forced him to call time on his career, however he said he intends to remain with the club — which is co-owned by former Spain international Cesc Fabregas — in an as-yet unspecified capacity.