Liverpool FC have confirmed that club captain Steven Gerrard will leave the club at the end of the season.
In a statement on the club’s website they said Gerrard “will continue his career outside the United Kingdom and at a side that will not bring him into direct competition with Liverpool.”
#LFC can confirm that Steven Gerrard is to leave the club at the end of the 2014-15 season #LFCicon pic.twitter.com/an6AjmFgvE
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 2, 2015
The Liverpool native will be 35 in May and has been involved with Liverpool since joining the youth system as an eight-year-old.
In the statement he said: "This has been the toughest decision of my life and one which both me and my family have agonised over for a good deal of time.
"I am making the announcement now so that the manager and the team are not distracted by stories or speculation about my future.
"Liverpool Football Club has been such a huge part of all our lives for so long and saying goodbye is going to be difficult, but I feel it's something that's in the best interests of all involved, including my family and the club itself.
"I'm going to carry on playing and although I can't confirm at this stage where that will be, I can say it will be somewhere that means I won't be playing for a competing club and will not therefore be lining up against Liverpool - that is something I could never contemplate.
"My decision is completely based on my wish to experience something different in my career and life and I also want to make sure that I have no regrets when my playing career is eventually over.”
A special message from Steven Gerrard to #LFC supporters… #LFCicon pic.twitter.com/cWWYlFqBL6
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 2, 2015
In his 17 year playing career at the club Gerrard has won 10 trophies with the club, including the Champions League trophy in 2005.
He is rumoured to be planning a career in the USA after he leaves Liverpool, with LA Galaxy rumoured to be interested in signing the player.
Manager Brendan Rodgers said of the player: "This is an era where 'legend' is vastly overused, but in his case it actually doesn't do him justice.
"As a leader and as a man, he is probably incomparable to anyone I have ever worked with."