Ajax veteran Ooijer to retire

Former Blackburn Rovers defender Andre Ooijer announced Tuesday he will retire at the end of the season, when he hopes to finish as a league champion with current club Ajax.

Ooijer, who made 79 appearances in three seasons for Blackburn, told www.ajax.nl: "It's become apparent to me in recent months that I just won't have the tools necessary to start a new season.

"I hope to finish this won with a league winners' medal. It would be the perfect send-off."

Ooijer, who made 55 appearances for Holland, has also placed at FC Volendam, Roda, and had two spells at PSV Eindhoven.