The Newcastle Jets striker Michael Bridges announced his retirement from football due to recurring injuries on Friday, but will remain at the A-League club in an official capacity.
The ex-Sunderland, Newcastle and Leeds marksman and current Jets skipper says he was swayed by the offer of his new job as the A-League outfit's international football and business development manager.
Bridges made more than 200 English Premier League appearances and scored 68 goals in English club football in an injury-affected career which also took in stints at Carlisle United, Bristol City and Hull City.
He joined Sydney FC in 2007 before returning to England, and eventually joined the Jets in 2009, scoring seven goals in 22 appearances.
