Former Atlético Madrid midfielder Ignacio Camacho retires at 30 | OneFootball

Following his €10m move from Málaga to Wolfsburg in 2017, former Atlético Madrid midfielder Ignacio Camacho was expected to be a Bundesliga mainstay.

However, the one-time Spain international suffered a horrific ankle injury in a DFB-Pokal clash with Hannover just months after joining Wolfsburg and was never the same since.

On Monday, the 30-year-old announced his retirement, with Wolfsburg simultaneously making his contract termination official.

Despite Camacho undergoing five operations to repair the issue, Camacho was forced to call it quits.

“I fought non-stop to get back on the pitch,” Camacho said. “But I’m leaving safe in the knowledge that I did all that I could.

“I gave it absolutely everything I’d got to get back to doing what I love best, and that’s playing football.

“It wasn’t easy – I’ve been in pain every day over the last three years and, ultimately, it has prevented me from carrying on.

“I’m very grateful to those who have helped me – it wasn’t easy for them either.”

Camacho spent six years at Málaga after spending six years in the Atlético Madrid system. Camacho won the Europa League with Atlético in 2010, though he was an unused substitute in the final.

His only senior call-up for Spain came in a November 2014 friendly against Germany.