Star Liverpool defender and club stalwart Jamie Carragher has announced plans to retire at the end of the current football season.
According to ESPN.com, the 35-year-old defender, who has made more than 700 senior appearances for the Reds since his debut in January 1997, has made a choice to finish his career with Liverpool. The announcement ends speculation as to what he will do in the future.
"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 in a statement.
Carragher has won a number of honors and championships while with the club, including the Champions League, FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup. According to ESPN.com, he is ranked second behind Ian Callaghan in the club's all-time appearance table. The report says that Carragher will finish out the season and then will speak more about his future plans.
It has been a privilege and an honor 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," he said. "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."
Carragher has been limited in his appearances this season, playing mostly in the Europa League and Capital One Cup earlier, while making only one start in the Premier League prior to Christmas. In the past three games, Carragher has started in the backfield. He has played 24 times this season, with only four coming with starts in the lineup.
"I said I wouldn't complain and I'm just trying to get more starts between now and the end of the season," he said after Liverpool beat Norwich 5-0 on January 19. "I've played a lot in Europe and the cups but the Premier League is the most important thing for the club and the players."
Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre had only good things to say about the defender who has played in 723 matches for the club, calling him "selfless" and "a colossal figure".
Ayre told Liverpool's website: "It speaks volumes about Jamie's selfless nature that even the manner of this announcement is putting the team and the club before himself. It's what he's done throughout his entire career.
Liverpool is currently in seventh place in the Premier League with 36 points while going 9-9-7, behind Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea Manchester City and Manchester United. Carragher also played for England's national team.