Cassano retiring

Former Italy international striker Antonio Cassano confirmed his retirement for the second time in a week on Monday, bringing an eventful end to a colourful career.

The 35-year initally announced he was retiring last Tuesday, before backtracking on his decision just hours after breaking the news to his Verona teammates.

He then said on Monday that he was quitting Verona only two weeks after joining the Serie A club, but added that he would look to continue playing elsewhere.

However, Cassano later posted another message on the Twitter account of his wife, Carolina Marcialis, to clarify that he was indeed hanging up his boots.

"Contrary to what appeared on my wife's official profiles on social media, I would like to clarify the following," Cassano said.

"Carolina was wrong. After thinking and reflecting, in the end I decided: Antonio Cassano will not play football anymore.

"I apologise to the city of Verona, all the fans, to president Maurizio Setti, to sports director Filippo Fusco, to coach Fabio Pecchia, to my team-mates and to the medical and technical staff.

"At this moment, I feel my priority is to be close to my children and wife," he added.

Cassano, renowned for his volatile behaviour, signed for Verona on July 10 after the club secured promotion back to Serie A.