Sebastian Squillaci has retired after his club were relegated four leagues as punishment for financial irregularities.

Squillaci, 37, hadn’t played for Bastia since October 2016, when he picked up a cruciate ligament injury. Although he then committed his future to the club, they finished 20th in Ligue 1 to drop to the second division.

The club have since been punished for financial conduct breaches, resulting in them being relegated three leagues further. The former Arsenal defender explained the story to Canal Plus via The Sun.

“I signed a new contract with Bastia.  But what with everything that has happened with them, I have chosen to retire.” Considering his age, the decision probably makes sense, in my opinion.

Even if Bastia achieve successive promotions, Squillaci would probably still be too old to ever play in Ligue 1 again, I feel. It’s not necessarily the case that Bastia will return to the top flight so quickly either.

Sebastian made 23 league appearances for the Gunners, scoring one goal, over a period of three years. He was already 30 years old by the time he started playing for the club, and only really lasted one season before disappearing into the reserves, leaving two years later.

From the start of 2011/12 to the end of 2012/13, he only made one league appearance for Arsenal. Bastia gave him many more opportunities, providing him with 31 league appearances in his first season alone.

But now his playing career is over, and we wish him luck with whatever is next.