After weeks of speculation, Celia Sasic has finally announced what is next for her in her career - retirement.

Sasic terminated her contract with FFC Frankfurt in May just days before their UEFA Champions League final, declining the option for a further year with the club, and since then rumours have circulated regarding a number of different paths Sasic could be pondering over, with retirement suggested but certainly the least expected.

Sasic ends career whilst in prolific form

The announcement comes as a huge shock not only because of her young age, with the striker just 27 years old, but because of her current unstoppable form.

This season, Sasic finished as the top goal-scorer in the Frauen-Bundesliga for the second year running, scoring 22 goals in 20 games, as well as earning the same accolade in the Champions League, where she scored a remarkable 14 goals in eight games as her side won the competition. The German scored in the final, too, as Frankfurt defeated Paris Saint-Germain 2-1.

With her country, the striker travelled to the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup this summer and, despite her side crashing out to eventual winners USA in the semi-finals, Sasic won the Golden Boot at the tournament thanks to her six goals and one assist being recorded in fewer minutes than America's Carli Lloyd, who totted up the same tallies.

Her achievements this season have also seen her nominated for UEFA's Best Women's Player in Europe Award for the 2014-15 season, alongside former Frankfurt teammate Veronica Boquete and five compatriots.

Sasic issues her statement

Sasic reflected on her illustrious and highly-successful career in a statement announcing her decision to retire, saying that she is "proud" to have "experience[d] some unforgettable moments" with Germany and in the Frauen-Bundesliga, as well as admitting that she is pleased to have been "part of their incredible development."

Calling football something that "has been with [her] all [her] life and always will be a part of [her]," Sasic revealed that she has "now decided to break new ground" by ending her career as a professional footballer.

Neid reacts to striker's decision

Silvia Neid, Germany's women's national team coach at this summer's World Cup, commented on Sasic's decision, calling it one she "regret[s]" but also one she "understand[s]" as "football is not everything in life" and so "there comes a time where you have to have different priorities."

Whilst Neid has stepped down from her post as Germany's manager this summer, something she announced at the beginning of the year that she would be doing, the 51-year-old, now the head of team's scouting department, expressed how Sasic will be "a real loss" to the side because she "is an important figure that leaves a large void."

Neid credited Sasic for "always [being] a role model on and off the pitch," and also thanked her for her contributions to the team's successes, saying that she has helped them "[win] important matches" by "[assuming] responsibility" on the pitch. The former manager concluded her comments by "wish[ing] [Sasic] well and the very best in [her] new phase of life."