Real Betis defender Sokratis announces retirement

Real Betis defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos has announced he is retiring.

The former Arsenal stopper will hang up the boots at the end of the season at the age of 35.

Sokratis, who joined Betis earlier this season, "October 2023. I made the decision to accept the offer to join this team. It was a great opportunity, a change of country, League, home. Betis became a family for me. Everyone welcomed me as if I had been here for years. I loved the city, this team... Betis. But my life away from my family is what forces me to make this journey come to an end. But to put a happy ending to my career in football, nothing better than ending my career as a Betis player and playing in the Spanish League.

"I would like to thank everyone who has accompanied me on this journey: my teammates, the entire staff, the coach who believed in me from the first day and made me feel like I belonged to this family as if I had been here for years and to the management of the club that chose me for this adventure of helping the team. And, of course, to all Betis for your support in victories and defeats.

"I have two games left wearing this shirt, two very important games... the first tomorrow, in which we will give everything to win. I'll wait for you all there. Thanks, Beticos.

"Verdiblanco forever and ever!"