Albion legend Bobby Zamora is hanging up his boots after a glittering 17-year career.

The ex-England striker has conceded defeat to the hip injury which cut short his second spell with the Seagulls last season.

Zamora, 36 next month, has been without a club since Albion released him in the summer.

He confirmed his retirement in an interview on the club website with former team-mate Adam Virgo.

Asked by Virgo is it the end, Zamora said: “I think so, yes. It was a frustrating time last year.

“My hip decided to let me down at the final hurdle. It resulted in just training on a Thursday and being in pain.

“It came to the end and I needed an op. I had the operation before the end of the season. It was frustrating but it was something I needed to do. I certainly couldn’t play.”

Zamora made the final appearance of his career in March at the Amex against Sheffield Wednesday, who knocked Albion out of the play-offs after Middlesbrough pipped them for automatic promotion.

He said: “It was horrible and knowing now it went down to goal difference, I’d like to think I could have contributed a couple of goals which would have made the difference.”

Zamora scored on his full senior debut in English football for Albion against Plymouth at Withdean in February 2000, five months after starting out with Bristol Rovers.

He bagged 84 goals in 156 matches in his two stints with the Seagulls and 182 goals in a 565-game career which included a Europa League triumph with Fulham, promotions to the Premier League with West Ham and QPR, and England honours.

The first goal of his return to Albion was a late winner against tonight’s visitors Leeds United at Elland Road last October.

Zamora will now concentrate on his business projects, including a football holiday school and plans with ex-England captain Rio Ferdinand and West Ham skipper Mark Noble to build thousands of affordable houses across the country.