Alastair Cook has announced that he is retiring from professional career with immediate effect.

Back in 2018, Cook ended his time on the international stage with England after making 161 appearances and scoring a record-breaking 12,472 runs.

Since then, the 38-year-old has continued to represent Essex, who he has played for throughout his 20-year stint in the professional game.

At the end of the most recent campaign, Cook's contract expired, but the opening batsman has opted against looking to extend his stay at the County Ground.

In a statement, Cook said: "Today I am announcing my retirement and the end of my career as a professional cricketer.

"It is not easy to say goodbye. For more than two decades, cricket has been so much more than my job. It has allowed me to experience places I never dreamed I would go, be part of teams that have achieved things I would never have thought possible and, most importantly, created deep friendships that will last a lifetime.

"From the eight-year-old boy who first played for Wickham Bishops Under 11s to now, I end with a strange feeling of sadness mixed with pride. Although above all, I am incredibly happy.

"It is the right time for this part of my life to come to an end. I have always given absolutely everything I possibly have to be the best player I could be, but now I want to make way for the new generation to take over."

Cook had been hoping to end his career on the highest of highs by helping Essex to the County Championship, but his team eventually lost out to Surrey.

During his stint at the Chelmsford-based outfit, Cook played a total of 352 first-class fixtures, contributing 74 centuries from his 619 innings.

A total of 26,643 runs were recorded at an average of 46.41, although he made just six runs in each of the first and second innings during his final contest against Northamptonshire last month.