Former Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Stoke City winger Matthew Etherington has announced that an ongoing back problem has forced him to retire from football.

The 33-year-old had been training with Millwall recently after being released by the Potters during the summer, having made 176 appearances for the club since moving to the Britannia in 2009.

He wrote on Twitter: "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."

Etherington reached FA Cup finals with West Ham and Stoke, but never lifted the trophy.