Former Sunderland striker Tore Andre Flo has announced his immediate retirement from football at the age of 34.

Flo, who was playing for Leeds, announced today that he was leaving the Elland Road club and the game altogether following a near-15 year career.

The Norwegian played for us for a little over a season, in which he scored just four goals following a move from Glasgow Rangers in August 2002. The move was valued at anything between £6.75 and £8.2m, as he came in a "joint £10m move" alongside Ipswich's Marcus Stewart.

After scoring in his debut for us against Manchester United, his form quickly dipped, leading to our relegation from the Premier League, prompting us to flog him on a free transfer to Siena, while rumours persisted that we subsidised his wages to the tune of £40,000 a week.

Flo returned to England a little over a year ago, joining Leeds in January 2007, but injury restricted him to just 23 appearances for Leeds, scoring four goals - earning him a total bonus of £4,000 under his "pay as you score" deal. Thankfully for him, that was just a bonus, as it came on top of a reported £6,000-a-week wage.

The 34 year old, whose career highlight was undoubtedly his time as a "supersub" with Chelsea, said today: "I had two goals this season, one was to get fit and free from injury, and the other was to get a regular place in the team. They were both equally important to me, but while I managed to get fit I didn't get a regular place.

"I talked it over with my family as it is a big decision. My wife is pregnant, I have been commuting, and I will be able to see my three children a lot more. I loved my time at Leeds and I just wish I could have been a lot more free of injury. I'd like to thank everyone in and around Leeds for their support. It was great to be a part of the club, and I'm very happy to have played for Leeds United.

"I'm very happy with the career I've had, and I'd like to thank everyone that has been involved at some stage."