Jul 05, 2014 06:43 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Manchester United star Ryan Giggs has been conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Science for Outstanding Contribution to Sport by the University of Bolton. graduation ceremony, Friday.

Wearing the traditional yellow and red robe, and mortarboard, the Club's most capped player entered the stage and accepted the honour. He also congratulated graduate students on their achievements and hard work during the ceremony on Friday.

"I was lucky enough to be blessed with a little bit of football talent, but what got me through over 20 years playing for Manchester United was hard work," Giggs said, ITV reports. "I would like to say just how proud I am to receive this."

Besides Giggs, Imran Akram (Doctor of Business Administration for outstanding contribution to the Legal Profession); Dr John S. Bailey (Doctor of Education for outstanding contribution to International Education and Leadership) and Margaret Blenkinsop (Doctor of Arts for outstanding contribution to Theatre and the Bolton Community) also received honorary doctorate degrees.

"Our honorary award recipients have excelled in their professional lives and made an extraordinary contribution to civic life in Britain. Many of them share a particular link with our region, and to Bolton itself and the life of our University," Professor George Holmes, vice chancellor of the University of Bolton, said in a statement.

Giggs impressive career spanning almost a quarter of a century include 963 appearances for the club; 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League successes. The most decorative player in English Football History also played 64 times for Wales, BBC reports.

Retired from professional football at the end of last season, Giggs served as the manager at the club for a brief period of time following the dismissal of David Moyes. He will now work as assistant to new coach Louis van Gaal.

Giggs's other awards include a MA degree from Salford University in 2008.

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