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Ex-Celtic star announces retirement amid team's title race

The Finnish striker, 36, is currently with HJK in his homeland, and there are currently four games to play in the league as they fight Inter Turku for the title.

Pukki has confirmed that he will hang his boots up once that run-in is finished. That means the Veikkausliiga game against Oulu on November 8 will be his last.

The striker wrote on social media: "The time has come for me to say farewell to professional football after this season. I have four games left with HJK in my career, and I want to win them all.

"Football has given me so much more than I could ever have dreamed of as a little boy. Thanks to football, I have had the opportunity to see the world and gain experiences that I don’t believe anything else could have given me.

"It hasn’t always been fun, and there have been times when I haven’t been able to enjoy it, but my love for football has always been there.

"I want to say a huge thank you to all the clubs and fans, as well as to everyone I have been part of a team with – the coaches, staff and, of course, the magnificent teammates with whom I have shared the dressing room.

"My warmest thanks go to my family and everyone else close to me. You have given me all your support and, in doing so, made it possible for me to keep playing for such a long time."

Pukki signed for Celtic from Schalke in a £3million deal in 2013 but struggled to make a go of his time at Parkhead, though he did manage nine goals in 37 games.

He went on to have successfull spells at Brondby at Norwich City before heading to MLS side Minnesota United and then back to Finland with HJK, where he had been previously.

Should his team win the league, it will be his third title with them and sixth overall, including one with Celtic.

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