Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard has announced his retirement from football.
The midfielder, who is leaving MLS side LA Galaxy, confirmed the news on Thursday saying he feels he has fulfilled his childhood dream of playing for Liverpool and representing England on the international stage.
In a statement released today, the 36-year-old said: "Following recent media speculation surrounding my future I can confirm my retirement from playing professional football.
"I have had an incredible career and am thankful for each and every moment of my time at Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy.
"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."
Gerrard had held talks with League One side MK Dons about taking up the managerial role at the club recently, but revealed the coaching role had come "a bit too soon" for him.
The midfielder, who came up through the ranks at Liverpool to make 710 appearances for the Reds before moving to Galaxy last year, is currently working towards his Uefa A coaching licence and admitted he plans to continue working within football.
"I am excited about the future and feel I still have a lot to offer the game, in whatever capacity that may be," he said.
"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."
Gerrard, England's fourth-most capped player with 114 appearances, won the Champions League during his time at Liverpool along with seven other major trophies.
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However, he failed to win the Premier League title before being unable to inspire Galaxy to the MLS trophy during his 18 months at the club, which he admits was a "disappointing" end to his time in America.
