MADRID, Sept 14: Spain forward Pol Amat, the 2008 world player of the year who made more than 300 appearances for his country, has called time on his international field hockey career at the age of 34.

Amat told local media on Thursday he would continue playing for his club Egara in his native Catalonia for one more year but would retire from the national team.

A highly skilled and quick player, he competed at five Olympic Games, helping Spain to silver medals in Atlanta in 1996 and Beijing four years ago.

His participation in the London Games was cruelly cut short last month when he dislocated his shoulder against Australia and was forced out of the tournament.

“Before I went to London my idea was to give it up completely and put the stick away,” Amat said. “Now I am full of desire and excitement to continue playing with the club.”—Reuters