Leverkusen's veteran Spanish keeper Palop to retire

(Reuters) - Bayer Leverkusen's veteran Spanish goalkeeper Andres Palop is planning to retire from football at the end of the Bundesliga season.

The 40-year-old, who featured in Sevilla's UEFA Cup title triumphs in 2006 and 2007, left the Spanish club for Leverkusen in June.

"After 19 years living and enjoying my time as a professional football player the time has come to hang up my gloves at the end of the current campaign," Palop said in a statement on Monday.

The keeper also had spells with Sevilla's La Liga rivals Valencia and Villarreal and was an unused member of his country's Euro 2008-winning squad.

(Writing by Tony Jimenez; editing by Justin Palmer)