Ryan Giggs has announced he is retiring from his playing days at Manchester United

RYAN Giggs says he is hanging up his boots following his appointment as assistant manager to newly-installed Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.

RYAN Giggs has announced he is retiring from his career as a player following his appointment as assistant manager to newly-installed Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.

The 40-year-old one-club man revealed his decision in an open letter to supporters published on United’s website.

His statement signalled the end of the career of English football’s most decorated player with Giggs, the winner of 34 major trophies, bringing down the curtain on a 23-year career featuring a United record 963 appearances.

Young gun ... Ryan Giggs at the start of his career with Manchester United.

“Today is a fantastic day for Manchester United,” Giggs, caretaker manager for the final four games of the season after the club sacked David Moyes, wrote.

“Louis van Gaal is a great appointment and let me begin by telling you how delighted I am to be working with someone of his calibre. His credentials are second to none and I’m positive the club will thrive under his leadership over the coming years.”

Giggs, who thanked United’s backroom staff and his family for all their support since he made his United debut as a 17-year-old in 1990, said his prevailing mood was one of optimism.

“For me, today is a new chapter filled with many emotions - immense pride, sadness, but most of all, excitement towards the future,” the former Wales international explained.

“United fans I hope will share and echo my belief that the club, the management and owners, are doing everything they can to return this great club to where it belongs, and I hope to be there every step of the way.”

Winners are grinners ... Manchester United's, Ryan Giggs, centre, lifts the trophy as his team celebrate winning the English Premier League.

Van Gaal, 62, has signed a three-year contract to succeed David Moyes who was sacked in April after a disastrous run of results culminating in failure to qualify for the Champions League.

A disciplinarian who has rarely lacked confidence in his own ability, van Gaal has won domestic titles and cups with Ajax, AZ Alkmaar, Barcelona and Bayern Munich as well as guiding Ajax to Champions League glory.

He said he has no doubt he could enjoy more success in what will be his first job in English football.

This club has big ambitions. I too have big ambitions. Together I’m sure we will make history,” van Gaal explained.

Gal’s duties with the Dutch national side mean he will not be able to join up with United until after the World Cup in Brazil.

All star ... Manchester United's Ryan Giggs in 2011.