Earnshaw takes up role with Vancouver Whitecaps
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 28: Robert Earnshaw #88 of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC celebrates after defeating the Portland Timbers in MLS action on March 28, 2015 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Former Wales striker Robert Earnshaw has announced his retirement from football and will take up a coaching role with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The 59-times capped forward played for the likes of West Brom, Norwich, Derby and Nottingham Forest after starting his career at Cardiff, where he scored over 100 goals in his first spell at his local club.
Earnshaw also played for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel and finished his career in Major League Soccer with spells at Toronto FC, Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The 34-year-old is joint-seventh on Wales' all-time list of scorers with 16 goals.
Earnshaw's haul included a winner on his debut against Germany in 2002 and a hat-trick at home to Scotland two years later.
"Football taught me how to be a man on and off the field and to be a better person," Zambia-born Earnshaw wrote on the official Whitecaps website.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"After 579 matches and 236 goals later in my 19th year, I can now say this chapter is turning to give me a chance to start a different role and give back what I've learned and experienced.
"I've always been scared to see the end of my playing days and now that it's here I'm sad.
"But I'm also excited that Vancouver Whitecaps FC have given me a chance to become the head coach of the U-14 Pre-Residency team, as well as the club's strikers coach."