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

The 34 year-old began his career at newly promoted Division Four side Cambridge United before moving onto the likes of Reading, Stoke City, Sheffield United and Portsmouth.

The pinnacle of Kitson’s 13-year career was at the Madejski Stadium after scoring 60 goals in 144 appearances, helping the Royals lift the Division Two title back in 2006.

Kitson joined United only last summer on a two-year deal, scoring four goals in 36 games for the Us last season.

However, the veteran spoke to Yellows manager Michael Appleton earlier last week about his future, and as a result, has had the remainder of his contract mutually terminated.

He said: “You have to look at the future.

“There are plenty of footballers I know that struggle to get out of bed in the morning and I don’t really want to be like that.

“I don’t want to be the old player on the pitch who is costing us.”

Appleton added: “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.”

On the other hand, Oxford United are pleased to welcome two new arrivals to the teams management after the appointments of Derek Fazackerley and Mark Thomas.

Fazackerley, 62, is United’s new Assistant Head Coach after occupying a similar role at Premier League side Newcastle United in the past.

He then joined Kevin Keegan within the England set-up as assistant manager before going onto manager Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley.

Since his managerial stints, Fazackerley has undertaken other roles at Premier League champions Manchester City and Football League sides Huddersfield Town, Leicester City and Birmingham City.

Despite his new arrival, Fazackerley will work alongside Mickey Lewis who continues his current first-team role with the Yellows.

Meanwhile, Thomas is another fresh face to the Us line-up after being named as Head of Performance and Recruitment analysis.

Thomas partners Dan Bond in the department after two fine years with fellow Division Four outfit Portsmouth, for who he used to work alongside United’s new manager Michael Appleton.

Oxford Chief Executive Mark Ashton said: “Derek is a genuine football person and we are delighted that he will be joining us.

“He played over 700 games in a distinguished career, mostly for Blackburn, and knows the game inside out. He has worked with managers and players of the highest calibre and is hugely respected.

“He has still got that same passion and enthusiasm for the game and we believe he will be the perfect addition to our existing coaching staff. To be able to call on his experience, his contacts within the game and his know-how will be invaluable.”

Meanwhile Fazackerley was similarly thrilled to join Oxford United: “It is a really exciting challenge. Michael Appleton is a good young Manager with great ideas about the game and I would love to help him achieve success here at Oxford.

“The club is set-up well, there are young players coming through and the whole club is progressive and ambitious. I am looking forward to getting out there on the training ground and working with the players as we build towards the new season.”

Thomas added: “I have worked with Michael Appleton before and he fully appreciates the input that we can give him through studying the vast amount of data that we can now supply, not just on our own players but also on the teams we are playing against.

“I have enjoyed my time at Portsmouth but having spoken with Michael believe there are exciting times ahead here at Oxford and I am delighted to have joined the club.”