MIDFIELDER Stefan Schwarz, released by relegated Sunderland, has announced his retirement after admitting defeat in his battle with a knee injury.

The 34-year-old Swedish international revealed that Sunderland club doctor David Gough had advised him to call a halt to his 16-year playing career.

Schwarz, a club record £4m buy when former Black Cats boss Peter Reid signed him from Spanish giants Valencia four years ago, has returned to Portugal where he had a spell with Benfica and is weighing up a move into coaching.

Sacked manager Howard Wilkinson briefly used Schwarz as an auxiliary coach after the dismissal of Reid and his backroom staff last October.

Schwarz made only one start and two senior appearances in all - both under Wilkinson in the Worthington Cup - in the season just ended.

The former Arsenal star last night confessed: "My body is worn out and I have a left knee that can't take any more games.

"All the injuries are the price I've had to pay. I never spared myself in my career, I always gave 100 per cent in games and training.

"I want to work within soccer. I will take new coaching courses, but I'm also open for other things."

Schwarz, who amassed 69 caps for Sweden and was in the squad that finished third in the 1994 World Cup, began his career with home-town club Malmo and also went on to play for Fiorentina after spending a year with Arsenal in season 1994-95.

He scored three goals in 76 appearances for Sunderland.

Sunderland will head for Scotland in a bid to prepare themselves for the trials and tribulations of a Division One campaign.

The Black Cats will visit both Hibernian and Hearts and are trying to arrange a third game before heading for home and their opening league fixture.

Mick McCarthy's side will kick-off their domestic tour against York City at Bootham Crescent on Wednesday, July 16 before taking on Grimsby Town three days later at Blundell Park.

They then hope to play another game in England before their date with Hibs on Saturday, July 26. The Hearts game will take place the following Wednesday.

Read more about Sunderland here.