Liverpool legend Stephen Gerrard retires
Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard has officially announced his retirement from professional football.
Advertisement
Gerrard was Liverpool's longest-ever serving captain and made 710 appearances for his boyhood club, inspiring them to to their famous Champions League final victory over AC Milan in 2005 while also helping the Reds win the FA Cup twice (2001, 2006), the League Cup on three occasions (2001, 2003, 2012) and the UEFA Cup once (2001) during an 18-year association with the club.
At international level, Gerrard won 114 caps for England and is his country's fourth most capped player of all time behind Peter Shilton, Wayne Rooney and David Beckham.
Over a 14-year period, he played in six major tournaments and captained England at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups as well as the 2012 European Championships.
After moving to LA Galaxy in 2015, the 36-year-old has now decided to call time on his career following their defeat in the MLS play-offs earlier this month, losing on penalties to Colorado Rapids.
Gerrard will now take time to consider his options before deciding on his next career move, having admitted this week that he spoke to MK Dons about their vacant managerial position, but felt the role had come too soon for him.
"I have had an incredible career and am thankful for each and every moment of my time at Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy," he said in a statement.
"As a teenager I fulfilled my childhood dream by pulling on the famous red shirt of Liverpool, and when I made my debut against Blackburn Rovers in November 1998 I could never have imagined what would then follow over the next 18 years.
"I feel lucky to have experienced so many wonderful highlights over the course of my career. I am proud to have played over 700 games for Liverpool, many of which as captain, and to have played my part in helping the club to bring major honours back to Anfield, none more so than that famous night in Istanbul.
"At an international level, I feel privileged to have won 114 England caps and to have had the honour of captaining my country. I will always look back with great pride at every time I pulled on the England shirt.
"I feel very fortunate to have had the career I've had but none of it would have been possible without the support of so many people.
"I am excited about the future and feel I still have a lot to offer the game, in whatever capacity that may be. I am currently taking my time to consider a number of options and will make an announcement with regards to the next stage of my career very soon."