JAMIE Mackie has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 34-year-old's deal at Oxford United expired at the end of last month, but he did agree a short-term extension to cover the Sky Bet League One play-off campaign.

He featured in both legs of the semi-final against Portsmouth, while the former Scotland international was an unused substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley a week ago.

Boss Karl Robinson had made it clear Mackie was in his plans for the future, with the veteran's role around the club and in the dressing room valued highly.

GALLERY: The best Jamie Mackie photos from his time at Oxford United

But the former QPR, Nottingham Forest and Reading front man will not be part of the playing squad for the 2020/21 campaign.

Mackie told United's website: "It was extremely tough because I have loved every moment of being a footballer and it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.

"Those play-off games were so emotional especially because I had known all the way through that they would be my last games.

"I wanted to end on a high but that wasn’t to be and so the last week or so has been all about talking it through with my family and making sure it wasn’t just a reaction to the disappointment of losing at Wembley.

"It’s not that. It’s about knowing when the time is right to hang the boots up.

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"Karl Robinson and everyone at Oxford has been brilliant and it has been a pleasure to come into work every day alongside them.

"But it’s time for a new challenge.

"If that’s in football in some way then great, but if not then I can walk away knowing that I have given it everything I had to give in every training session and in every game I played.”

Mackie made 91 appearances, 54 of which were starts, for United in two seasons, scoring seven times.

The most crucial of those strikes was undoubtedly the stoppage-time winner against Bradford City in March 2019, which played a big part in getting the side out of relegation trouble.

Robinson said: "We understand and respect Jamie’s decision and I want to thank him personally for everything he has given us not just on the pitch but off it.

"He has that tremendous enthusiasm for the game and to retain that passion for so many years is remarkable.

"He’s talked about media work but whatever he does I know he will be successful because there is an honesty and a work ethic which I know he will always have.

“He knows he is always welcome here and on behalf of the football club we thank him and wish him well.”