Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has announced he will be retiring at the end of the season. The 35-year-old, who came through the youth ranks at Liverpool and made his debut in January 1997, has made more than 700 senior appearances for the club.
Carragher announced he will retire from football at the end of season
The veteran defender had previously hinted he could be forced to leave Anfield to find first team football elsewhere.
However, Carragher said in a statement: "This will be my last season at Liverpool and my last as a professional footballer.
He came through the youth ranks at Anfield
"I'm making this announcement now because I don't want the manager or the club to be answering questions on my future when I've already decided what I am going to do."
"I will be fully committed between now and the end of the season to doing the very best for Liverpool, as I have done my entire career since joining aged just nine years old.
"It has been a privilege and an honour to represent this great club for as long as I have and I am immensely proud to have done so and thankful for all the support I have had. There are many memories I want to share and people to thank, but now is not the time for that.
"I won't be making any further comment on this decision until the end of the season; all our focus and concentration should be on achieving the best possible finish in the league this season and trying to win the last remaining trophy we are competing in."
Several Liverpool legends like Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Jamie Redknapp expressed their joy in having the opportunity to play with Carragher and called him "icon of the Premier League".
Redknapp also said Carragher's calming influence and dedication would be sorely missed at Liverpool.
