Striker Dwight hangs up his boots

The 37-year-old, who was released by Sunderland at the end of last season, confirmed he was bringing down the curtain on a glittering career last night.

Yorke made his name at Villa after being signed by Graham Taylor as a teenager in 1989 and the Trinidad and Tobago star went on to score 97 goals in 231 appearances and win two League Cups during his nine-year stay in the Midlands.

Having held legendary status with supporters, Yorke's crown slipped somewhat when he left under a cloud for Manchester United for £12.6m in August 1998.

Yorke went on to win the Champions League with United in 1999 as well as three successive Premiership titles before spells with Blackburn, Birmingham, Sydney FC and Sunderland.

He said: "It's time to hang up my boots. While I'm still in great shape, I'm not getting any younger.

"I've had the time of my life. I hope people will say that I played the game in the right way with a smile on my face.

"I'll always count myself lucky. I was a boy on a beach from a little Caribbean island that got the chance to fulfil his dream of winning trophies at the highest level and captaining his country in their first ever World Cup finals.

"I've been blessed really. I've played alongside some of the greatest players the Premier League has ever seen in Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Peter Schmeichel, and played for the greatest manager in Sir Alex Ferguson."

Yorke, who has accepted a position as assistant manager of the Trinidad and Tobago national team for the rest of the World Cup qualifiers, added: "I always planned to stay in football."

"My aim is to build up some experience and then use what I've learnt from my playing days to coach and one day manage a team in England."

Yorke was right winger at Villa until 1995 when a move to centre forward earned him thea reputation as one of the Premiership's top strikers.

This was further enhances with his partnership with Andy Cole at United.