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Grant Leadbitter: Ex-Sunderland, Middlesbrough & Ipswich Town midfielder confirms retirement at 35

Former Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town midfielder Grant Leadbitter has retired from professional football, aged 35.

The veteran was released by boyhood club Sunderland this summer, after 18 goals in 210 games across two spells.

Ex-Black Cats boss Roy Keane took him to Ipswich where he played 126 matches, while he helped Boro win promotion to the top flight during a 244-game spell.

"Of course there has been a temptation to carry on, but since playing my final game for Sunderland in May I have had it in my mind I wasn't going to play on.