Former Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic announced his retirement from football on Friday, two weeks after terminating his contract with Inter Milan in Serie A.

The Serb represented the Red Devils 300 times between 2006 and 2014, winning five Premier League titles and a Champions League along the way.

In a statement released on United’s official website, Vidic said:

The time has come for me to hang up my boots. The injuries I have had in the last few years have taken their toll.

I would like to thank all the players I have played with, all the managers and staff I have worked with, and say a big ‘thank you’ to the fans for their support over the years.

The footballing community was quick to pay tribute to the 34-year-old:

As were his legion of fans:

There was the occasional joke about why he might have picked now as a good time to call it quits…

…though most chose to remember his iconic partnership with former England international Rio Ferdinand.

There was plenty of reminiscing about Vidic’s best days in a United shirt.

And many wondered what Louis van Gaal would do to have a leader like Vidic in his side today.

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