Hull City's Nigerian midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha says he is likely to retire from football at the end of the season.

The former Bolton star, 35, has started 10 games since joining the Tigers in September 2007 but wants to quit while he is still at the top of his game.

Okocha told BBC Radio Humberside: "I am just thinking until the end of this season. Who knows what will happen but now I think that will be me done.

"After Hull that is it, I feel that this is my last bus stop."

Okocha has ruled out staying in football immediately after retiring, and will instead concentrate on business commitments.

He said: "I don't think I will go into coaching for now, I would like to try some other things, there are a lot of things to do and I will try to start a new life, a new challenge and I'm looking forward to it."


OKOCHA'S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Won 59 caps and scored eight goals for Nigeria (amognst a number of good dribbles)
Cost Paris St Germain £14m in 1998
Has also played for Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce and Bolton

The midfielder said he would not turn his back on his country, though, if they were to ask for his help, and added: "If they need my help it wouldn't be nice of me to turn that down. I would be ready to come and help.

"I think now we need local indigenous people that have played the game and know what it takes to be a winner and people who have the same mentality as the players to take the players on and bring the best out of them."

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Hull City | Okocha set for summer retirement


Can we just take a moment to reflect on such a wonderful, creative and entertaining player, who most of us that play football would have emulated and looked up to at least once. Let hope some of the players called up by Siasia can give us a similar performance.

Check out the Youtube link for some of the joy he gave us.

Let me go find a few clips to post. One of nigeria's finest, for real!!!!

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Nah so we see am oh!!!

I just like this guy with his dribbling skills. He's right jare retire whilst you're on top and retain your place in Nigeria football history.

Okocha me seh

He has had a glittering career both with Nigeria and internationally..Sadly,we havent been able to replace him in the Super Eagles..his vision,range of passing,technique and leadership skills cant be over-emphasised..Thank u very much Jay Jay!

There are conflicting reports I heard that he actually meant tht Hull City will be his last club and he wont be retiring.

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..To the one who spoke and the galaxies leapt into existence....who can't be explained on a chalkboard but can be accessed through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.....whose word never returns to him void but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent.....the one in whom I am complete.....the great I am...who was,who is and who is to come....
www.ifreke.blogspot.com

Thats funny cause i was listening to his interview on the BBC and he was saying he is retiring from football to chase a business which he did not want to mention. He was saying it would be good to retire while still at the top of his game and not be greedy by going to another club which may tarnish his reputation that has taken him time & effort to build. He even rejected the idea of going into coaching after calling it a day but did say if Naija needed any help, he will be more than willing to offer in any way possible.

The business is liquor.Its public knowledge in Nigeria!

What a genius. It was indeed a pleasure watching Jay Jay in action. I'll really miss his fancy skills and exceptional footwork. I wish him a wonderful and pleasant retirement.

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"The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence."

Jayjay Okocha for life! The best African #10 of all time!

I think that would be Abedi Pele Ayew.
3 times African player of the year consecutively.

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"The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence."

...blah blah....how many World Cups he play insai?

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....Perception Is Everything....

Pa

Doesn't matter! George Weah did not play in the world cup but he still remains the only African to have won both the European and World footballer of the year awards. Next!

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"The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence."

Hmmm! Meddeen at it again! Your bad belle knows no bounds!

__________________
..To the one who spoke and the galaxies leapt into existence....who can't be explained on a chalkboard but can be accessed through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.....whose word never returns to him void but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent.....the one in whom I am complete.....the great I am...who was,who is and who is to come....
www.ifreke.blogspot.com

What "bad belle" are you talking about? I've always been and will always be a big fan of Okocha. But that doesn't mean I should make such a ridiculous claim that he's the best No 10 ever to come out of Africa. I'm sure you know how good Abedi Pele was, and all the awards he won.

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"The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence."