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    Players Pay Tribute to Steven Gerrard as He Announces Retirement

    Laura KlonowskiBy

    Kop idol Steven Gerrard has today announced his retirement from football. The 36-year-old had played in the Liverpool FC first team since 1998 and captained them from 2003 before ending his European club career at his boyhood club back in 2015 when he moved to MLS side LA Galaxy.

    Players Pay Tribute to Steven Gerrard as He Announces Retirement 1

    And after one year playing in America the England international who scored 119 goals for LFC, has announced his retirement from the game, saying:

    “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.

    “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.

    “Firstly, I would like to thank everyone at Liverpool Football Club. I am proud to have played for and captained Liverpool for so many years and to have achieved what we achieved during my time at the club.

    “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.

    would like to say a special thank you to Steve Heighway, Dave Shannon and Hugh McAuley for believing in me when I was making my way at Liverpool and for giving me the platform to go on and fulfil my dreams.

    “Thank you to the amazing fans of Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy for the incredible backing you have given me throughout my career. Your loyalty and support has meant the world.”

    And now players from all over the world including fellow ex-Liverpool stars such as Fernando Torres, and Luis Suarez, along with Legends of the game such as Brazilian star Kaka and Kop idol Ian Rush, have been paying tribute to Steven Gerrard;

    https://twitter.com/ThierryHenry/status/801810374974722048

    It is now widely believed that Gerrard will return to Liverpool as part of the coaching team.

    What is your favourite Steven Gerrard memory? Let us know over on Twitter @CelebMix.  

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