Former Watford defender Paul Robinson has announced he will be hanging up his playing boots at the end of this season.

The 39-year-old Birmingham City player-coach has decided to retire after a first-team career that covered more than 20 years, five clubs and to date has seen him make more than 760 league and cup appearances.

Robinson tweeted: “I have loved wearing every shirt with pride. I have played my heart out every time and I’ve achieved from a young age my dream.

“At the end of the season it will be goodbye to playing but the start of a new exciting chapter.”

The former St Michael’s School student rose up through the youth ranks at his hometown club to make his Watford debut in a 1-1 draw against Luton Town on October 29, 1996 as a second-minute replacement for Dominic Ludden.

After a total of 13 appearances in his debut season under Kenny Jackett, ‘Robbo’ was to make another 25 as the Hornets won the old Division Two title under Graham Taylor.

Established as a fans’ favourite because of his fully committed approach, the defender was to help Watford to Play-Off glory at Wembley Stadium the following season, having missed the dramatic second leg of the semi-final at St Andrew’s through suspension.

Robinson was to make 36 league and cup appearances in Watford’s ill-fated debut Premier League season and was to go on and make a total of more than 250 for the Hornets before he was sold to West Bromwich Albion in October 2003.

The former England Under-21 international went on to spend six years at The Hawthorns before a loan move to Bolton Wanderers was made permanent in January 2010.

Robinson also had a loan spell at Leeds United in 2012 before moving to his current club in September of that year.