One of the greatest ever Liverpool players Jamie Carragher announced his retirement from the sport come the end of the season.
The one club man -- something that is so rare these days - enjoyed an illustrious 16-year senior career at Anfield since making his debut in January 1997 against Middlesbrough.
Carragher made over 700 appearances for his boyhood club that he joined when he was just nine years old. The 35-year-old is only second to all-time record appearance holder Ian Callaghan.
"This will be my last season at Liverpool and my last as a professional footballer," Carragher said in a statement on the club's official website.
"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 Football Club, as I've 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."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had said earlier in the season that he would try to convince Carragher to stay on at the club, where he found his way back into the starting linuep over the last couple of weeks.
However, Rodgers now has to settle to get the most out of the former England international in the final months of the season as he bids goodbye to a memorable career, which has also included that famous Champions League title in 2005.
"Jamie has been absolutely outstanding for me since I joined the club," he said. "He has been a model professional on and off the pitch and has shown an unswerving commitment to our work.
"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.
"Jamie's focus is always on doing what is best for the team and he has said he doesn't want any distractions while there are still important matches to be played and won.
"But when the time is right we, as a team and a club, will give the man the tribute and recognition he deserves. I know the supporters will want to say thank you to someone who has served them with such distinction for so long."
