MATTHEW Etherington has called time on his professional football career after being unable to shake off a back injury.

The 33-year-old who grew up in Falmouth made the announcement on his Twitter account on Wednesday afternoon having spent months without a club having been released by Premier League side Stoke City in June.

He had been training with Championship team Millwall, but decided he could not play on with the injury.

Etherington said: "Due to an ongoing back problem, the day has come for me to retire from professional football.

"I have some amazing memories since the day I made my debut at just 15-years-old.

"Thank you to all the great clubs I have played for and to the supporters. I have made some mistakes along the way but it has made me who I am today.

"I look at the past with pride and to the future with optimism."

Barry Fry signed up Etherington to Peterborough after watching him play for Falmouth Town U14s.

During his career, Etherington played in two FA Cup finals, losing both times in 2006 and 2011.

He earned three caps with the England U21s side and also won player of the season awards at West Ham in 2004 and Stoke in 2010.