Former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has retired at the age of 35.
The Whitley Bay lad started his career back in the Sir Bobby Robson era and made his debut against Real Mallorca in the UEFA Cup.
From that moment, Taylor won a place in the squad and was a regular under Graeme Souness, Glenn Roeder, Sam Allardyce, Kevin Keegan and Alan Pardew.
He was released by United in 2016 during Rafa Benitez's tenure as boss making his final appearance in a 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the season at St James' Park.
Since then he has played for a host of clubs including Portland Timbers, Ipswich Town, Peterborough United, Wellington Phoenix and Indians Odisha.
After retiring Taylor, speaking to stuff.co.nz said: "I lived the dream. I enjoyed it. I’m leaving on a high. I know I can go away with a good feeling and I hope the Phoenix understand that I give everything on the pitch. I would get hit in the face, and I loved that.
“My biggest thing now is my family. I haven’t been able to see them."
Taylor's retirement is not injury related but he insists he is not joining another club at this moment in time.
There are vacancies at Newcastle's Academy at the moment where his former team-mates Steve Harper and Peter Ramage are currently in influential positions.
