FORMER Bantam Zavon Hines has announced his retirement from football at the age of just 30.

The winger - who was part of City's historic 2012-13 season, appearing as a substitute in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley against Swansea - announced his decision in an emotional message on Twitter.

"The past few weeks has been the toughest of my career," he wrote. "I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life and even now as I write this I'm still in tears.

"But after getting medical advice and with a broken heart I'm going to retire from professional football immediately.

"Mentally and emotionally this is so difficult for me but I had a choice to make.

"I've been honoured and blessed to play for some historic and massive clubs in my career and I'm truly grateful."

Zavon Hines recalls special memories with Bantams: Read here

Hines made 32 league appearances for the Bantams under Phil Parkinson and played an important part in their historic achievement of reaching a major cup final as a League Two club.

His two performances against Aston Villa in the semi-final victory were of particular note.

Having started his career at West Ham, Hines had brief spells at Coventry, Burnley and Bournemouth before joining Valley Parade.

He left City for Dagenham after their promotion to League One but suffered a serious knee injury in his first season there.

Spells at Southend and Maidstone followed before moving to Chesterfield in January of last year.

He made 38 league appearances for the Spireites, scoring five goals but he was dogged by more knee problems.

He left Chesterfield in December and joined National League Bromley where he made six appearances.