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Liverpool have confirmed that Steven Gerrard is to leave the club when
his contract expires at the end of the season.
Gerrard, 34, has spent his entire career at Anfield, making his
first-team debut in 1998, and has won trophies including the Champions
League, UEFA Cup and two FA Cups.
However, the midfielder, who retired from England duty following this
summer's World Cup, has now decided to move on and is expected to move
to Major League Soccer.
#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
Gerrard did not confirm his destination but said he would not play for
a team that could compete against the Reds.
In a statement on Liverpool's official website, Gerrard 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.
"I can't thank Brendan, the owners and everyone at the club enough for
how they've handled this and I am leaving on great terms. Also, I
would like to thank my teammates and all the staff for their help and
continued support.
"It is a very special place to be part of. It is my sincere hope and
wish that one day I can return to serve Liverpool again, in whatever
capacity best helps the club.
"One point that is important to make is that from now until the last
kick of the last game of the season, I will be as fully committed to
the team as I ever have been and giving everything I have to help
Liverpool win games.
"My final message is for the people who make Liverpool Football Club
the greatest in the world — the supporters.
"It has been a privilege to represent you, as a player and as captain.
I have cherished every second of it and it is my sincere wish to
finish this season and my Liverpool career on a high."
The midfielder is on the short list of the MLS champion LA Galaxy's
potential targets, a source confirmed to ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle.
"[Gerrard] was one of several in the discussion of a good addition if
possible," the source said.
Credit: ESPN
