Klose calls time on his career

The Germany legend, and all-time leading scorer in World Cup finals, has decided to hang up his boots after a long and successful career.

Miroslav Klose has decided to  hang up his boots after leaving Lazio at the end of the 2015-16 campaign following the expiry of his contract.

Klose had been linked with a move to MLS and former club Kaiserslautern over the past few months, but has opted to retire instead and take up a position with Germany's national team.

The former Bayern Munich man would take up an individual training under national team coach Joachim Low and sporting director Hansi Flick with an eye on a future coaching career, while also joining Low's backroom staff.

"I enjoyed my biggest successes with the national team. It was a great time and unforgettable for me. That's why I am happy to return to the DFB," Klose told the DFB website.

"Over the past few months, the idea of staying on the pitch in another position, as a coach, got into my mind. I already enjoyed developing tactics, preparing for games and reading the game during my playing days.

"I am grateful to Jogi Low and Hansi Flick that they are offering me this opportunity."

Klose enjoyed his biggest club successes with Bayern, where he won two Bundesliga titles and two DFB-Pokals. The striker won the Bundesliga top-scorer award in 2005-06.

The German forward has 137 caps and scored 71 goals during that time to become his country's all-time top goalscorer.

He won the World Cup in 2014, having finished as a runner-up in 2002. Klose is also the all-time top scorer at World Cup finals, with 16 strikes spread over four tournaments.