Steven Gerrard retires from professional football

Former England and Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard has announced his retirement from professional football, pulling the curtains on a 19-year playing career. This is coming just a week after the 36-year-old Gerrard announced he was leaving MLS side, LA Galaxy.

Gerrard joined the MLS side in 2015, before that he played for his hometown team Liverpool. He played 710 times for the merseyside team, winning eight major trophies including the UEFA Champions League in 2005.

He is England’s fourth most-capped player with 114 appearances and captained the side at three of the six major tournaments he played at.

“I feel lucky to have experienced so many wonderful highlights over the course of my career,” said Gerrard.

“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.”

Steven Gerrard was made Liverpool captain by Gerard Houllier in 2003 and he led the side to the Champions League title in 2005, scoring the first goal as Liverpool came back from being 3-0 down at half-time to beat AC Milan on penalties in the final at Istanbul.

“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,” he added.

“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 was lucky to play alongside some great players and under some fantastic managers during my time at Anfield and would like to thank each and every one of them, as well as all of the backroom staff at the club throughout my time there for the fantastic support they showed me,” he added.