Veteran goalkeeper Santiago Canizares has announced that he will leave Valencia at the end of the season.

Canizares, 38, is in his 10th season at the club and has made 245 appearances in La Liga, as well as winning the UEFA Cup, Copa del Rey and appearing in two Champions League finals, all as first-choice keeper for Los Che.

The former Spain international said in a statement: "I have reached an agreement with the club to rescind my contract. The decision to carry on playing is something I have to think about, but I am not considering retirement."

When Ronald Koeman took over from Quique Sanchez Flores as manager in October of last year, Canizares was one of several senior players in the squad that the Dutchman removed from the first team.

However, Koeman was sacked earlier in April following the club's continued slide towards relegation, and new manager Voro restored the former Real Madrid keeper to the side. Despite this, the experience was enough to make Canizares decide to seek a new challenge.

Valencia's 3-0 defeat of relegation rivals Osasuna at the weekend has eased the pressure on them somewhat, but they are still just six points clear of the bottom three with four league matches remaining.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport