Shearer's career is ended
From Aertel:
Alan Shearer's career is over after scans on his knee injury confirmed his final season has been ended prematurely.
The Newcastle captain had planned to retire at the end of the 2005-06 campaign but a medial ligament tear has denied him the chance to play in the final three games.
The 35-year-old was injured in a challenge by Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca in last week's Barclays Premiership victory over Sunderland.
Shearer told The Sun: 'Deep down I knew when I limped out of the Stadium of Light that it was probably the end and I think the fans knew it as well.'
Shearer had scored his 206th - and now final - Newcastle goal from the penalty spot shortly before limping off in that win at Sunderland.
In all he scored 379 goals in 733 club appearances in an 18-year career which started at Southampton and also took in a high-profile spell at Blackburn where they won the title in 1995. He also scored 30 England goals in 63 caps
His legendary status at Newcastle was confirmed in February when he overtook Jackie Milburn to become the club's all-time leading goalscorer.
Shearer joined Newcastle from Blackburn for a then record £15million in 1996.
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Sad to see he couldn't finish the season. A great player in his day.