Leto Ziegler announced on Tuesday that he would be ending his more than two-decade career.

"Today, a chapter closes. My playing career may have come to an end, but it will always be a part of me," he wrote in a statement. "I fulfilled a childhood dream with immense pride and passion, and I persevered until my last day as a professional."

"I want to thank everyone who has been with me throughout my career: my teammates, coaches, staff, the club... but most of all, my family, for their unwavering support, love and companionship throughout every moment of my career. To all the fans, I also want to sincerely thank you for your energy, encouragement and loyalty over the years."

"A new journey is about to begin - different from the past, but with the same passion. See you soon... A huge thank you to each and every one of you."

Reto Ziegler, 39, primarily plays center back. His career has seen him play for Grasshoppers Zurich, Tottenham Hotspur, Hamburg, Wigan Athletic, Sampdoria, Juventus, Fenerbahçe, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sassuolo, Sion, Lucerne, Dallas, and Lugano. To date, he has made 709 club appearances, contributing 53 goals, and has won one Italian Super Cup, two Turkish Cups, one Swiss Super League title, and two Swiss Cups.

At the national team level, Ziegler has played 35 times for Switzerland and participated in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

As for the "new journey" mentioned by Ziegler in his retirement announcement, the Sion club later announced it in an official announcement. According to the announcement, Ziegler will serve as assistant coach of Sion's U21 team and director of youth development, continuing his football career in his new role.

Regarding his appointment to Sion, Ziegler said: "I am very much looking forward to starting my new job as a technician. Sion Football Club means a lot to me and has played an important role in my playing career. Now, I want to pass on my experience to the younger generation and start a new chapter in my career."