Goalkeeper Aouate hangs up his gloves

Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Aouate has announced his retirement from football, saying he’s ‘achieved all of his goals.’

The 36-year-old made 78 appearances for his country, while making more than 300 appearances in Spain’s La Liga.

Starting his career by winning league and cup honours in Israel with Hapoel Haifa and Maccabi Haifa, he moved to Spain in 2003 where he played for Racing Santander, Deportivo La Coruna, and more latterly Real Mallorca.

Capped 78 times by Israel, he made his first appearance back in October 1999, in a 3-0 Euro 2000 qualifier defeat to Spain. Speaking about his retirement, he said: “I have mixed emotions as after many years on the pitch I retire today from football.

“I’ve had the honour of playing in the Spanish league. I’ve learned what top European football is about, playing at the Camp Nou and the Bernabéu. I have mixed emotions as after many years on the pitch I retire today from football. It’s hard to sum up all of these years in few words.”

Aouate will now become Mallorca’s new majority shareholder – where he played for five years – after an agreement was reached to purchase 53 percent of the shares from Serra Ferrer and Biel Cerda.