Bournemouth defender Russ Perrett has revealed he plans to move forward as retiring from football was "not a decision I've taken lightly".The 34-year-old hung up his boots earlier this week after making a disappointing 11 appearances for his hometown club.

Perrett joined the Cherries last summer but, after suffering a series of injuries, was struck down by pleurisy and a strain of pneumonia - forcing him to retire from the game.

Perrett told the Daily Echo: "I spoke to a few people who have been in the same position and they told me not to rush into anything. But I'm happy with my decision and now I want to move forward and start something else.

"What's happened over the past few months has made up my mind. It's been soul-destroying not being able to play and train. I just don't want to go through another awful season of picking up injuries and illnesses.

"It's taken me two to three months to get myself back to normal. Nothing could have prevented it or speeded up the recovery. It's something that can hit anybody at any time and I was just unfortunate it hit me at the end of the season when I could have done with being fit."

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