Shevchenko transfers football for politics

Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko announced on Saturday that he was retiring from football to begin a career in politics.

The former AC Milan and Chelsea forward announced in a statement on current club Dynamo Kiev's website that his "future will not be linked to football in any way."

"It is certain, Dynamo Kiev is now my former club. This club, which I love with all my heart and I will always support,"

Shevchenko, who scored 48 goals in 111 caps for his country, revealed later in the day that he was joining "Ukraine -- Forward!", a pro-business party who recently broke away from the main opposition party.

"I want to fulfill myself in politics and share the experience I gained in Europe, to do something for my country," Shevchenko decalred while visiting a children's summer school with Ukraine -- Forward! leader Nataliya Korolevska.

"I decided to join the team of Nataliya Korolevska because Ukraine -- Forward! is a party of the future, it is a party of young leaders."

"In politics, I plan to support the social sector and sport. After all, my main slogan is a healthy mind in a healthy body," he said.

Shevchenko made his final appearance for the national team at Euro 2012, which Ukraine co-hosted with neighbours Poland.

Shevchenko is not the first Ukrainian sportsman to enter national politics. Heavyweight boxer Vitali Klitschko has his own political party, the "Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform". The boxer is expected to be a serious contender in October's parliamentary elections.