Former Stuttgart captain Delpierre set for retirement

Matthieu Delpierre, 34, has spent the past two seasons
plying his trade for Australian champions Melbourne
Victory in the A-League. Photo: Filed.

Veteran Melbourne Victory defender Matthieu Delpierre revealed
he is planning to retire at the end of the 2015-16 A-League
season.

Delpierre has called Australia home since arriving from FC
Utrecht in 2014, but the 34-year-old is now planning to return to
Europe once the campaign concludes Down Under.

The French centre-back, who won the Bundesliga title with
Stuttgart in 2007, told Fairfax: "I think it will be my last season. I
think I will stop my career after this year.

"I am pretty happy and lucky with what has happened in my
career."

Delpierre, who spent eight years at Stuttgart having joined the
club from French outfit Lille in 2004, helped Victory to last
season's A-League premiership and championship double.

After 18 appearances in 2014-15, Delpierre has already
amassed 13 matches in all competitions heading into
Saturday's derby against Melbourne City.

Delpierre added: "I am pretty sure that I will stop. We never
know what can happen, but I think it will be my last year.

"I will go back to Germany ... I live in Stuttgart. Hoffenheim [a
club he also played for] is not that far."