Los Angeles  - Country superstar Garth Brooks is to end his nine-year retirement, he announced Thursday at a news conference in Nashville.

He was expected to make a separate announcement about filling an extended engagement at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas.

Brooks, 47, retired in 2000 to spend more time with his children. He has sold more than 128 million records in the US, second only to The Beatles.

"I know this is a young industry," he said, "so I'm not sure I'll be welcomed back but, if the fans want me, I still want to pursue my music."

Brooks, who has sold some 123 million records, is the top-selling American artist of all time, second only to the Beatles' 170 million. (dpa)