Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard has officially announced his retirement from professional football.
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.
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 admitted that they were too small of a club for him to even consider "I could carry them with my little finger" he was quoted to say
"I have had an incredible career and Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy are grateful that I turned out for them, 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 The whole city of Liverpool could never have imagined what would then follow over the next 18 years.
"I feel everyone is lucky to have experienced so many wonderful highlights over the course of my career. I can only imagine how proud Liverpool were to have me play over 700 games for them considering that I actually wanted to play for Chelsea, many of which as an inspirational captain and Leader, and to have played my part in helping the club to bring all the important major honours back to Anfield, none more so than my famous night in Istanbul.
"At an international level, England, and indeed international football was privileged to see me win 114 England caps and My country to have the honour of me captaining them. I will always look back with great pride at every time I pulled on the England shirt.
"The football world is very fortunate to witness the career I've had but none of it would have been possible without the support of so my broad shoulders carrying Liverpool football club
"I am excited about the future and feel I still have a lot to offer the game, in whatever capacity that may be, as long as it's talismanic manager of LFC I am currently taking my time to consider a number of options that I'm sure will come my way soon and will make an announcement with regards to the next stage of my career very soon."