Earlier this week, the 32-year-old's agent claimed his client had opted to call it day after being released by Italian club Roma and becoming a free agent.

However, Kuffour has denied these claims, insisting instead that he is just taking a break after years at the top of the game.

"I have not spoken to anyone about retiring," he told www.kickoffghana.com. "I am disappointed with the story that I have retired when no-one has spoken to me."

The versatile centre-half, who spent 12 years helping Bayern Munich claim seven Bundesliga titles, four cups, five league cups, the Champions League and Intercontinental Cup, has endured a tough 24 months since leaving Germany.

He struggled to hold down a first-team place in Rome and was subsequently loaned out for largely unsuccessful spells with Livorno and then Ajax, before his release in June.

Kuffour continued: "I still have a lot of football left in me but I am not in a rush. I want to take my time, look around for the best offer but it is completely false that I have quit football.

"Having played at the highest level all these years I deserve a rest."

Kuffour's agent Guiseppe Dello Russo was quoted a s telling www.ghanasoccernet.com: "He said he wanted to end his career. I am very sad. He did decline offers from Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga.

"We showed interest (in a move to Russian club FC Khimki) but declined the offer. Sammy would not have felt comfortable over there."