Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has shed some light on Ledley King's final season with the North London outfit by claiming that the defender could have ended up "crippled" if he carried on playing.

The 31-year-old announced his retirement from football today following a 17-year career, which has been marred by injuries.

"When he was at his best he was definitely one of the best centre halves in the world, no doubt about that," Redknapp told Sky Sports News. "At the end of the season he was struggling, we were struggling at centre half, we had injuries, and maybe he played one or two games too many.

"It was difficult for him at the end and he wasn't the player we had at the start of the season even. It is only right he decided to retire now otherwise he would have ended up crippled and we don't want to see that."

Spurs have confirmed that King will remain at the club in an ambassadorial role.