Former Dutch international Stam ends career - reports

AMSTERDAM, Oct 29 (Reuters) Former Dutch international defender Jaap Stam has ended his playing career, Dutch media reported today.

The 35-year-old played his last match for Ajax Amsterdam on Oct. 20 against NEC Nijmegen when he left the pitch injured.

Stam started his career in 1992 in the second division at Zwolle and earned his first big transfer four years later when he signed for PSV Eindhoven.

He joined Manchester United in 1998 and won the treble in his first season in England, before moving to Lazio in 2002 after he criticised United boss Alex Ferguson in his biography.

After three years in Rome Stam moved on to AC Milan and in 2006 he returned to the Netherlands to finish his career at Ajax, where he signed a two-year deal.

Stam won 67 caps and scored three goals for the Dutch team before ending his international career after the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal.

REUTERS PDS RK1750