BEIJING, July 5 -- Japanese midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, one of the most famous Asian players of his generation, has announced his retirement from professional football, his official Web site said Monday.

    ¡°I will never go out onto the pitch again as a professional football player, but I will never give up football,¡± said the 29-year-old, whose third FIFA World Cup ended in a 4-1 defeat to defending champion Brazil.

    The two-time AFC Asian Footballer of the Year was seen lying disconsolate on the pitch with a towel over his face after Japan was knocked out 11 days ago.

    Japan¡¯s biggest export in world football, Nakata had made a welcome return to something like his best form for Italian side Parma before the 2002 World Cup on his home soil.

    Transferred to Perugia after impressing several observers at the 1998 World Cup, Nakata later secured a move to AS Roma in 2000.

    Famous for his vision and probing passing, Nakata added a touch of class to Japan's midfield and was the conduit for most of his team's attacking moves.

    As a supersub, he was a member of Roma's championship-winning squad in 2000/2001, producing some vital performances during the title run-in.

    More recently, Nakata had played in the English Premiership with Bolton Wanderers after moving there on loan from Fiorentina at the beginning of last season.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)