Stephen Warnock knows he may regret his retirement when the new campaign begins - but he always wanted to go out on his terms.
Former England international Warnock hung up his boots at the end of last season, having spent the second half of 2017-18 on loan at Bradford City from Burton Albion.
He joined the Brewers on a one-year deal last summer and made 14 appearances for them in the Championship, scoring in the 2-1 victory over Fulham.
Not helped by Albion's inconsistency and being made to play at wing-back at times, the ex-Liverpool and Derby County man struggled for form as his time at the Pirelli went on, with his last outing in a Burton shirt coming in the defeat to Sheffield United on November 17, before a January move to the Bantams.
It was while at Valley Parade that the 36-year-old confirmed he would be retiring at the end of the season, ending with more than 500 competitive appearances to his name.
"I just felt the time was right to call it a day when you're getting on the pitch and you're still wanted and still feel you can do that and people want you to play, rather than retiring on the football pitch because you're not good enough," he told the Lancashire Telegraph.
"I wanted to go out on my terms, when I was ready, and I will probably regret it when the season starts, because I know I'm still fit enough to do it and capable of playing at a decent level.
Burton Albion catch-up
"But you have to hang them up at some point and look to the future and make a decision.
"It was one that was very difficult, it's never easy to do, but at this moment in time I feel it's the right thing to do.
"I've tried to look at the last six months and I knew there was the possibility that I might retire so I've tried to do as much media work as possible. Luckily things have gone okay on that side of things."
The former Brewers defender is currently covering the World Cup for BBC radio.
