Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has announced his retirement from football, aged 34.

The Frenchman, a Champions League winner with the Reds in 2005, played for a dozen clubs during a 17-year career, and won 41 caps for his country.

He made 79 appearances for Liverpool after joining from Auxerre in 2004, scoring 24 goals.

His time at Anfield was marred by a broken leg sustained soon after his arrival, but he recovered in time to help Rafa Benitez's side to European Cup glory the end of his first season on Merseyside, scoring in the penalty shootout as AC Milan were beaten in sensational circumstances in Istanbul.

The following season, Cisse would play his part as Liverpool beat West Ham in Cardiff in the FA Cup final, scoring what proved to be his final goal in a red shirt. After suffering another leg break, he left for Marseille in 2006, though he would later return to the Premier League with short spells at both Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers.

His last professional club was SC Bastia, though since leaving the Corsican outfit at the end of last season he has turned out for JS Saint-Pierroise, on the French island of Reunion.

After announcing his retirement, Cisse broke down live on French television as he heard a tribute from Guy Roux, his former Auxerre coach.

(Image: (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images))

Djibril Cisse at Liverpool - five of the best

Debut goal

Cisse became Liverpool's most expensive signing when joining from Auxerre for £14m in 2004. The deal was set up by Gerard Houllier, who had been replaced by Rafa Benitez by the time the Frenchman arrived on Merseyside. But Benitez still selected Cisse for the opening Premier League game of the season, at Tottenham, and was rewarded with a goal in a 1-1 draw.

Nerveless in Istanbul

Cisse's first season at Liverpool would be ruined by a horrendous leg break suffered in a challenge with Blackburn's Jay McEveley in the October. But by May, he was back in action, and playing his part in one of the most famous night's in Liverpool history. Coming off the bench as the Reds clung on to a 3-3 draw against AC Milan in Istanbul, he would slot their second penalty in the shootout as Benitez's side went on to claim their fifth European Cup.

Sticking it to Blackburn

Cisse's broken leg at Ewood Park had marred his maiden campaign on Merseyside, but in his second he would have a happier memory to take from a Blackburn fixture. Bizarrely, Rovers fans had taunted the striker during their trip to Anfield. 'Cisse, Cisse, how's yer leg?' rang out from the away end. The Frenchman responded by blasting the only goal of the game, celebrating in front of his tormentors.

Derby delight

Signed to play as an out-and-out striker, Cisse increasingly found himself used as a wide forward under Benitez, but he showed he could be effective. Against Everton in December 2005, he marked his first derby with a goal, and a well-taken one at that, in a 3-1 win at Goodison.

Cardiff cracker

It's remembered as Steven Gerrard's FA Cup final, but it was Cisse who started Liverpool's recovery in Cardiff. Watching Gerrard's raking pass over his shoulder, he produced a beautifully-controlled volley as he lost his balance to reduce West Ham's lead to 2-1 before half-time. And it was his cramp which played a (small) role in Gerrard's incredible last-minute equaliser.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

In his own words....

“Overall, Liverpool was good for me. How could it be otherwise? Coming from three-nil down to beat AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League Final was the greatest moment of my career and nothing can ever top it. What we achieved that night in Istanbul was incredible. On reflection I don't know how we managed it, but we did and this sort of fairy story could only happen at a club with such a glorious European pedigree as Liverpool."

What are your memories of Djibril Cisse at Liverpool? Leave your comment below...