Roma legend Francesco Totti has confirmed his retirement from professional football and announced he is to become a director of the Italian club.

The 40-year-old, who played his final game in May after a one-club career spanning 24 years, had hinted he could continue his playing career abroad.

But he has now released a statement saying that he has new role at the club he first joined as schoolboy.

“The first part of my life, as a player, has ended,” Totti said.

“But now I’m heading into an equally important part, hoping to do as well as I did on the field.”

Totti made seven 768 appearances for Roma following his debut as a 16-year-old in 1993, and won Serie A once, in 2001.