Barcelona, Spain (SportsNetwork.com) - Carles Puyol announced Tuesday that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the current season, but may still continue his career at another club.
The Barcelona captain, who turns 36 in April, has been plagued by knee injuries over the last 18 months and admitted last May that he had come close to retiring after suffering several setbacks during the 2012-13 season.
"I am here to announce I am leaving Barcelona at the end of the season," Puyol said at a news conference. "The club and I have agreed to rescind the two remaining years on my contract.
"After two such aggressive operations, it is costing me a lot to recover the level I demand of myself to stay here. Much more than the surgeons told me. This does not mean I am leaving today, there are still three months of competition left. Those who know me know I will keep fighting until the end to help the team achieve its objectives this season."
Barcelona sits in second place in La Liga, one point back of first-place Real Madrid with 12 league matches to play.
