Former Spain and Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes has announced his retirement from football in order to spend more time with his family.

GettyImagesFernando Morientes struggled to make an impact at Marseille after moving from Valenica last July

Morientes, 34, spent last season at French champions Marseille but announced his decision on radio station Cope.

"After 17 years of top-level football... I want to spend more time with my family," he said.

Morientes won three UEFA Champions League titles and two La Liga titles and Real Madrid and became one of the most feared strikers in the world before a disappointing spell with Liverpool in 2005.

He scored 27 goals in 47 games for Spain between 1998 and 2007, retiring just before the country's successful Euro 2008 campaign.