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LAS PALMAS

Valerón announces retirement

Las Palmas' legendary former Deportivo midfielder Juan Carlos Valerón has revealed his decision to hang up his boots at the end of the season.

Update:
Valerón cuelga las botas. El próximo 17 de junio cumplirá 41 años.
Ángel Medina G.DIARIO AS

Midfield legend Juan Carlos Valerón has announced his decision to call time on an illustrious playing career spanning over two decades.

Speaking at an emotional press conference on Saturday afternoon, the 40-year-old Las Palmas veteran said: "I've decided to retire as a professional footballer at the end of this season."

"I wanted to retire at my home club," added Valerón.

Las Palmas president Miguel Ángel Ramírez confirmed that the one-time RCD Mallorca, Atlético Madrid and Deportivo La Coruña man will remain with the Canary Islanders in an ambassadorial role.

Valerón came up through the youth ranks at Las Palmas, with his performances after breaking into the first team seeing him snapped up by Mallorca in 1997.

Valerón was in the Depor side that ruined Real Madrid's centenary party in the 2002 Copa final at the Bernabéu.
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Valerón was in the Depor side that ruined Real Madrid's centenary party in the 2002 Copa final at the Bernabéu.

A move to Atlético followed 12 months later, but after two unsuccessful seasons at the Vicente Calderón - which culminated in Los Rojiblancos' relegation from the top flight - Valerón joined Deportivo.

He went on to become a Riazor idol during a 13-year spell in Galicia, lifting a Copa del Rey, two Supercopas de España and a Segunda División title with Depor before returning to Las Palmas in 2013.

Valerón also won 46 caps for Spain in a seven-year international career.