FORMER Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has retired from professional football.

The 31-year-old left Old Trafford to become a free agent in July and subsequently joined Serie A side Como.

Former Man Utd star Raphael Varane has retired

The defender made just one appearance for new club Como

But having made just one appearance for his new team, he is now hanging up his boots.

In a statement on social media, he wrote: “They say all good things must come to an end.

“In my career I have taken on many challenges, rose to occasion after occasion, almost all of it was supposed to be impossible. Incredible emotions, special moments and memories that will last a lifetime.

“Reflecting on these moments, it is with immense pride and a feeling of fulfilment that I am announcing my retirement from the game that we all love.”

Varane recently suffered a severe knee injury and was left out of Como’s Serie A squad as a result.

The injury prompted his decision to retire.

However, the World Cup winner has confirmed that he will remain at the club in some capacity.

Varane spent three years at Man Utd after joining in a £42million transfer from Real Madrid.

During that time he made 95 first team appearances and scored two goals.

The most successful period of his career came with Los Blancos in Spain.

Varane made 360 appearances for Real Madrid during his 10-year spell with the club.

He also won three La Liga titles and four Champions League titles.

The centre-back retired from international duty back in February 2023 having been capped 93 times by the French national team.

He said: “Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honours of my life.

“Each time I wore this special blue jersey, I felt immense pride.

“The duty to give everything, to play with my heart and to win every time we entered the field.

“I have been considering this for several months and have decided that it is the right time for me to retire from international football.”

Raphael Varane won four Champions League titles with Real Madrid

FA Cup is his last cup