​Dimitar Berbatov has confirmed he actually retired from football after leaving Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters in March 2018.

In a light-hearted video on his official Instagram account, the Bulgarian explained that he looked for a new team once his deal with the Blasters ended, but failed to find a suitor he liked.

Prior to posting the clip, Berbatov had put up a story of his overhead-kick goal for Manchester United against Liverpool in 2010.

In the Instagram video, the 38-year-old said: “I know some of you already thought that I’d retired and now maybe you are like: WTF Berbs, we know that you don’t play.

“But, I did try to find [a new club] last year. Didn’t happen. So, someone told me I need to say something, and seeing that people were asking me – especially back home – I need to give a farewell message! So, here it is!

“I think it’s the right time now to stop and it’s long overdue! Although, when I think about it, it’s never the end because I will stay in the game in one way or another.

“The time has come to say that after almost 20 years of playing football, I am stopping with my professional, active football career! I will miss it! I will f***ing miss it! 

“Everything! The games, training, the goals, preparations, the pressure, my teammates…the roar of the fans when I scored another banger.

“Thank you to all the people who helped me develop, and became the player I always wanted to be! Thank you to all my former teams my teammates and my coaches and staff! It was a pleasure!”

Berbatov played for three different English sides, representing ​United, ​Tottenham Hotspur and ​Fulham as he racked up 94 ​Premier League goals across nine seasons.

He also had stints at Bayern Leverkusen, Monaco and PAOK, having begun his career with Bulgarian outfit CSKA Sofia.

Let’