"I had offers from the United States, but I just don't feel the same hunger anymore," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"I thank all the teammates I ever played with, the coaches who trained me and the clubs I worked with.

"Looking back, the most exciting moment was winning the European Cup with Real Madrid, as I was the first Italian ever to lift the trophy with that shirt."

Panucci, who spent last season at Serie A side Parma, kicked off his professional career with Genoa in 1991.

He also played for Milan, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Monaco and Roma over the past couple of decades.

Panucci has 54 Italy caps. He scored four goals on the international stage.