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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Jonathan McFarlane

Nikica Jelavic retires as former Rangers striker calls time on career due to injury

Former Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic has retired from professional football, his club Lokomotiva Zagreb have announced.

The 35-year-old has struggled with knee injuries in recent years and has decided to call it a day.

The 36 times capped Croatian international moved to Ibrox for £4m in 2010 from Rapid Vienna and was a key player under Walter Smith scoring 30 goals in 45 appearances.

He famously netted the winner in the 2011 League Cup Final win over Celtic and was known for an ability to score spectacular, acrobatic goals like a memorable overhead kick against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

He moved to Everton for £5.5m in January 2012 and remained in England with Hull City and West Ham.

Nikica Jelavic (SCOTTISH DAILY RECORD)

More recently he spend four years in China in their lucrative top flight with Beijing Renhe and Guizhou Zhicheng before returning home to play for Lokomotiva.

A statement read: "Nikica Jelavic is ending his professional career!

"Although Nikica is full of motivation and eager to play, unfortunately his health condition, specifically the knee situation, does not allow him to continue his career.

"Nikica rest, you deserve it!"

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