Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed that Emiliano Tade has retired from professional football and will return home to New Zealand.

The Brazilians confirmed on Wednesday morning that the striker, who signed from AmaZulu at the start of the year, had been released from his contract with the club.

Speaking after his side’s game on Wednesday night against Stellenbosch, Mosimane said he tried to convince Tade to not give up on his football career, but the Argentinian was dead set on his decision.

‘I tried to convince him to think about it, that “You are talented football player, you are a good player, look at the goals you scored”,’ said Mosimane.

‘I spoke to him to think about it before we went to Casablanca, to think about it, to sleep on it.

‘He said, “I am done, I had so many injuries, I have never had so many injuries. In New Zealand I was not playing professional football, I was doing other things and playing professionally I started at AmaZulu. I was 28 or 29.”

‘He said, “It’s not my life, I want to do other things.” I said, “Are you sure?” Even the South Americans tried to convince him. He said, “I am done.”’

Tade is set to return to New Zealand, where his family is based.