Former Reading midfielder Danny Drinkwater has officially announced his retirement from professional football at 33.

The central midfielder ended his playing days in Berkshire, playing 34 times in 2021/22 on loan from Chelsea.

An Academy graduate at Manchester United, Drinkwater made his name in a six-year spell with Leicester City.

Joining the Foxes ahead of their Championship title win a decade ago, he departed as a Premier League winner after Claudio Ranieri's side provided the sporting story of the century by lifting the title.

Moving to Chelsea for £35m, the England international played 23 times in five years at Stamford Bridge, as well as enduring four loan spells away.

Speaking to Jake Humphrey on his High-Performance Podcast, Drinkwater said: "I’d like to announce my retirement from professional football. It has probably been a long time coming, maybe. I think it is time to officially announce it now."

He had been unable to find a new club since leaving Reading over a year ago.