Former Republic of Ireland international Ian Harte has decided to hang up his playing boots after a superb career that was played out on the World Cup and Champions League stages.
Harte announced his decision to retire on Twitter this morning after more than 20 years in the game.
The time has come to hang the boots up. I have had over 20 years playing football and loved every minute of it!!! Now to the next chapter ðŸ‘ðŸ»
— Ian Harte (@ianharte23) August 27, 2015
The Drogheda native was snapped up by Leeds United as a teenager in 1995 and ended up playing alongside his uncle and fellow international Gary Kelly during a great period for the Yorkshire club.
The left-back and dead ball specialist was a member of the great Leeds team that reached the UEFA Cup and Champions League semi-finals in successive seasons and in the same period he was selected on the 1999/2000 PFA Team of the Year.
Harte was also a fantastic international servant, winning 64 caps and scoring 12 goals and was one of Mick McCarthy's regulars that played at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
He went on to play for Spanish side Levante, Sunderland, Blackpool and Carlisle United before helping Reading and Bournemouth to winning the Football League Championship.
Harte was released after that most recent success with the Cherries which saw them make it to the Premier League for the first time in the club's history.
