New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen’s playing career ended with a battling 0-0 for bottom-of-the-table Queens Park Rangers against English Premier League champions Manchester City.

The match at Loftus Road was the 35-year-old defender’s last before he takes up his new job as coach of Major League Soccer side Toronto FC.

Nelsen produced a typically industrious display, which, aided by a series of superb saves by goalkeeper Julio Cesar, helped keep City scoreless.

His departure from the club was keenly felt by the home fans at Loftus Road with them chanting: “There’s only one Ryan Nelsen” as he left the pitch applauding the crowd.

Nelsen told reporters in Toronto last week that emotions would play a part in his competitive farewell.

“If you do anything for that number of years, any job, there’s a certain sadness when you leave because you’ve been doing it for so long,” he said.

Nelsen said the rigours of top-flight football had taken its toll on his body.

“I’ve got two bone defects in my knees. Both have had operations, it’s wear and tear. I’ve got a hamstring issue where my hamstring is screwed on with screws and mesh at the moment. It kind of wears on you and I’d like to one day be able to play with my kids instead of walking around with a cane.”

Christchurch-born Nelsen first made his name overseas with MLS soccer side DC United.

He moved to the English Premier League in 2005 to join Blackburn Rovers and went on to become Rovers’ club captain before signing for Tottenham a year ago and then joining London rivals QPR at the start of the current season.

Nelsen’s retirement means he ends his international career with 49 caps, the last of those gained in the 3-0 win World Cup qualifying win over Tahiti in his home town last October.