WASHINGTON, June 1 (Xinhua) -- NBA legendary center Shaquille O'Neal announced his retirement on Wednesday on Twitter to end his 19-year professional career.

"I'm retiring," O'Neal said on his Twitter, and the three-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player as well as four-time champion also posted a video link in which he thanked his fans.

The 39-year-old O'Neal, also known as the "Shaq", won three consecutive titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and then a fourth with the Miami Heat in 2004.

However, the "Shaq" was often forced to remain on the bench due to a nagging right Achilles tendon injury during his spells in Phoenix, Cleveland alongside LeBron James and the Boston Celtics this season.