Stephane Henchoz has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect after failing to secure a contract in the summer. The former Wigan player was released by Blackburn last season.

Henchoz formed an effective partnership with Arjan De Zeeuw at the heart of Wigan's first Premier League defence, making 26 appearances and started in the Carling Cup final.

The former Switzerland defender is the third ex-Wigan player to retire in the last two months. Damien Francis was forced to retire at the age of 29 after failing to recover from a knee injury.

Meanwhile Geoff Horsfield has also been forced into retirement after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.