Newcastle Jets' Michael Bridges announces retirement-Will finish career at end of A-League season-Career included spells at Leeds United and Sunderland 
Newcastle Jets’ Michael Bridges will retire at the end of the current A-League season after 19 years as a professional footballer.
The 35-year-old will play his final home game against Adelaide on Friday, in what is a must-win match for the Jets to reach this year's finals. Bridges has spent the past five seasons at the Jets, scoring 12 goals in his 65 appearances for the club.
Bridges started his career with Sunderland, where he won caps with England Under-21s, and was considered one of the country’s most promising strikers.
He then moved to Leeds United - whom he helped finish third in the Premier League, qualify for the Champions League and reach the Uefa Cup semi-finals. However the
rest of his career at Elland Road was plagued by injury and he never fulfilled his considerable potential. Bridges also played for Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers, Bristol City, Carlisle United, Hull City, Sydney FC and Milton Keynes Dons.
"When you play professionally for as long as I have you see the highs and lows of football," Bridges said in a statement.
"Thankfully
I've been lucky enough to have great support around me throughout my career and I've loved and cherished every minute of it. "Having the opportunity play football for a living is something that I never took granted and I'm extremely grateful for all the experiences I've had along the way."
Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby congratulated Bridges on his achievements in both Australia and England.
"Since joining the Jets, Michael has been a huge asset to the club both on and off the field and a fantastic ambassador for football in Newcastle and Australia," Middleby said.
Bridges's announcement comes a day after Sydney FC veteran Terry McFlynn called time on his storied career.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/08/newcastle-jets-michael-bridges-retirement
