FORMER Saints record-breaker Rory Delap has retired from professional football.

The 37-year-old, renowned for his long throw-ins, moved to League 2 club Burton Albion in July after being released by Saints, but a torn hamstring limited him to only seven appearances.

Burton manager Gary Rowett said: "Rory has been a constant professional since he joined the club in the summer.

"His attitude and work ethic have been a credit to himself and the invaluable knowledge and experience that he has passed onto the rest of the players here at Burton Albion has been priceless."

Rowett added: "He has had a fantastic career and we are honoured here at Burton that he has finished his career with us."

Delap became Saints' most expensive player in the club's history when he signed for £4.1m from Derby County in the summer of 2001.

He held that record for 11 years, until Saints signed Jay Rodriguez in the summer of 2012 from Burnley.

Delap left St Mary's in the huge January 2006 clear-out which followed the arrival of George Burley, joining Sunderland.

He later moved onto Stoke, where he became wel known for launching his huge long throws.