Former Norwich City striker Dean Ashton has announced his retirement at the age of 26. The West Ham forward has been forced to quit the game due to an ankle injury sustained while on England duty in August 2006.

Former Norwich City striker Dean Ashton has announced his retirement at the age of 26.

The West Ham forward has been forced to quit the game due to an ankle injury sustained while on England duty in August 2006.

Ashton scored 18 goals in 46 games for the Canaries, earning him a club record �7.25million move to West Ham.

Ashton was named in Steve McClaren's England squad for the game against Greece at Old Trafford, but was injured in a training ground clash with Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The striker missed the whole 2006/07 season but returned to make 35 appearances in 2007/08.

He started the 2008/09 season but broke down again after just four games because of the ankle injury.