Oxford United Dave Kitson has announced his retirement from professional football today.

The 34 year-old has enjoyed a 16-year career that began in non-league football and at one time took him to the Premier League and close to the England national team.

Kitson began his career with his home-town club Hitchin before moving on to Arlesey Town. The forward then made the short move from Arlesey to Cambridge to play professional football with Cambridge United. The 6ft3 striker scored 40 times in 102 appearances for Cambridge, including when he scored 20 goals in 44 games in the 2002/03 season.

His form with Cambridge United eventually won him a move to Steve Coppell's Reading side in December of 2003. Kitson is best remembered for his spell with the Royals, scoring 54 goals in 135 appearances in a five year spell at the Madejski Stadium. His time with Reading included promotion to the Premier League where in the club's second season in the top-flight he scored 10 goals in 34 appearances.

When Reading were relegated in the 2007/08 season, Kitson secured a move to Tony Pulis' Stoke side, becoming the club's record signing at £5.5 million. Kitson struggled for form at the Britannia Stadium, failing to score in the league during his first season and only scoring three times in the league before sold to Portsmouth in the summer of 2010.

Kitson's spell with Portsmouth coincided with the club's continued financial melt-down whilst in the second tier of English football. The striker's form in his first season at Fratton Park was reasonably good, eight goals in 35 appearances, however he scored just four times as Portsmouth were relegated from the Championship in his second season.

After agreeing to terminate his deal with Portsmouth, Kitson eventually signed for Sheffield United on summer transfer deadline day of 2012. He scored 11 goals in 34 appearances for the Blades as they once again fell short in the League One play-offs.

Kitson then moved to Oxford United after being released by Sheffield United. Last season he managed just four goals in 32 appearances at the Kassam Stadium.

Although still under contract with Oxford United Kitson has retired from professional football after speaking with new manager Michael Appleton, whom Kitson worked with at Portsmouth.

Speaking to the club's official website Appleton stated: “I worked with Dave at Portsmouth so I have known him for a while. He is a very honest man who I have a lot of respect for. He came to me on Friday and told me that he would like to retire.

“I asked him to take the weekend to think it over. It is a massive decision for any player to have to take and I felt he deserved a little time to weigh it all up. He came back to us over the weekend and told us that his mind was made up, and so we respect that decision and wish Dave all the best for the future.”