Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher will hang up his boots at the end of this campaign bringing an illustrious 16-year career to an end.
The former England international who has made 723 appearances for Liverpool since making his debut in January 1997, issued a statement today on Liverpool's official website in a bid to end speculation about his future plans and made it now instead of waiting until the end of the season because he wanted to put the club before himself.
"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," he said, according to his statement on liverpoolfc.tv
"I will be fully committed between now and the end of the season to doing the very best for Liverpool Football Club, as I've done my entire career since joining aged just nine-years-old," he continued, according to liverpoolfc.tv.
Launching his senior career in a League Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough in 1997, he has been a mainstay on Merseyside and was instrumental in the club winning the 2005 Champions League (The match that is considered by many as the greatest Champions League Final ever.), coming back to beat AC Milan in a shootout after being down 3-0 at the half.
"It has been a privilege and an honour[sic] 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," he stated on liverpoolfc.tv.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who has only featured Carragher in 24 matches, said on Monday that "Jamie has been absolutely outstanding for me since I joined the club. He has been a model professional on and off the pitch and has shown an unswerving commitment to our work," according to The Daily Mail.
Adding, "We still have a lot to play for as we look to finish as high up the Barclays Premier League as possible and continue our progression in the Europa League, a competition we'd like to win. He will have a significant role to play for us between now and May and I know his commitment and dedication on the pitch will remain as it has done his entire career at Liverpool," reported The Daily Mail.
It is rumored that Carragher will be joining the coaching staff after retiring, but The Daily Mail states that "no talks have taken place about him joining Liverpool's coaching staff and none are planned."
"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," he said, according to liverpoolfc.tv.
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