Czech Republic defender David Rozehnal said Wednesday he had walked out on Belgian top-flight side Ostend and quit his professional career at 37, citing family reasons.

"It's time to end my career," the former Club Brugge, Paris St Germain, Newcastle, Lazio, Hamburg and Lille defender told the website of the DNES daily.

"We had problems in the family, that's partly why I quit my career abroad," Rozehnal said without elaborating.

DNES said he would now take care of a seriously ill family member.

The tall centre-back, often criticised for being too kind on the pitch, played 60 games for the Czech Republic in 2004-2009, including Euro 2004 where the Czechs came third.