The former Valencia man said in a statement on social media: “After 19 years as a professional, I have decided to retire from playing football at the end of this season.
“Thank you to all the teams, coaches and team-mates that have allowed me to enjoy this dream career.
“Thank you to my family, that has always been there to support me through good and hard times. It is my objective to put the cherry on top by winning the Emperor’s Cup with Vissel Kobe on January 1st.
“From then on, I will continue to enjoy football through all the projects that we’re currently developing with DV7 group. Thank you for all the love.”
Villa was regarded as one of Europe’s elite strikers in his time in Spain and rose to prominence at Valencia, where he scored more than 100 goals in a five-year spell that saw him win the Copa del Rey in 2008.
Villa, who had also lifted Spain’s domestic cup at Real Zaragoza four years earlier, left Valencia for Barcelona in 2010 and enjoyed three successful seasons at the Nou Camp winning two La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey.
He also helped Barcelona to lift the Champions League in 2011 scoring in their 3-1 final win over Manchester United at Wembley.
Villa’s 19-year career saw him win the World Cup, European Championship and the Champions League, a height reached by only a few footballers.
