The former France international spent two-and-a-half seasons at St. James' Park, joining the Magpies from Lille in the summer of 2011.

He made 93 appearances in all competitions, helping Alan Pardew's team to finish fifth in the Premier League in his first season and reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League in the following campaign.

And he scored 18 goals, including a memorable free-kick against Manchester United in a 3-0 home win in January 2012 and the winner against the same opponents in December 2013 in what remains the Magpies' last victory at Old Trafford.

He netted twice in a win at West Ham in his final appearance before departing for Paris Saint-Germain in January 2014.

In a heartfelt social media post on Friday evening, Cabaye wrote: "It is with great emotion that after more than 17 years of passion, love for football... memories that will forever remain engraved in my mind... I am announcing the end of my professional football career.

"If this decision seems to some obvious, logical and inevitable, having spent 35 years in the football world it remains very difficult to take and to accept, because my love for football is immense."

He added: "I can't thank enough all the people I have been in contact with over the past few years; my team-mates, my coaches, my managers and my presidents, the supporters of the clubs I have played for, but also those of the France team who encouraged me when I had the honour of wearing the jersey of my country."

After paying tribute to his friends, family and agents, Cabaye signed off: "Thanks to all of you, I went beyond my dreams.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart."