FCBARCELONA.CAT

27.03.2007 19:12

Dragan Skrbic announces his retirement

FC Barcelona Cifec veteran Dragan Skrbic has announced that he will retire from handball at the end of the current season and bring an outstanding career to a close.

The Serbian pivot made it known some time ago that he was considering the move, but has now made it official. The 38-year-old is still a key player for the Blaugrana and has impressed everyone by continuing to an age that normally only goalkeepers can carry on until.

The right time

"I have finished a chapter in my life," Skrbic told Barça TV and fcbarcelona.cat. "I wanted to leave that behind and try different things. Now the time has come for me to retire, a moment that comes to every sportsman. I think that it is the right decision because I am doing it with the best club int he world and I do not have any desire to join any other team having played here."

In good condition

"Physically I am fine," he continued, reflecting on the reasns behind his announcement. "This year I had an operation on my elbow and it healed quickly and I was not out for long. I think I am capable of giving the team my all until the end of the season. I maybe able to play for a couple more years, but the problem is more in my head."

Well travelled

After beginning his career in 1998 with Red Star Belgrade, Skrbic has travelled extensively since then. After arriving in Spain for the 1993-94 season, he played for Atlético de Madrid, Alcira and León-based side Aldemar. His next port of call was Germany, before he moved on to Slovenian outfit Celje and then back to the German league again where he spent two seasons with Nordhorn.

Five years of success

At the start of the 2002-03 campaign, Skrbic joined Barça after being called the best pivot in the world. In fact, in 2000 he had been named as the world's best player and lived up to that billing by helping the Blaugrana to win a lot of silverware. Among the 12 trophies that the side won with him, the Champions League and two Asobal League titles stand out.

The last trophy that the team captured was the Copa del Rey in Altea, but Skrbic was unable to play due to an aribtrary decision. David Barrufet honoured Skrbic though, but handing the cup to the Serbian to let him lift it.