LIVERPOOL defender Jamie Carragher has announced he will retire from football at the end of the season.
The 35-year-old, who has made more than 700 senior appearances for the Reds since his debut in January 1997, has decided to call time on his career and end speculation surrounding his future.
Carragher said in a statement: “This will be my last season at Liverpool and my last as a professional footballer.
“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.”
The former England international, who has won several major honours during his time at Anfield, including the Champions League, FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup, is second only behind Ian Callaghan in the club's all-time appearance table.
Carragher confirmed he will continue until the end of the season and make no further comment on his future until then.
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Liverpool's 1996 FA Youth Cup winning side - Jamie is second from the left on the back row
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Celebrating putting the Reds in front on his first Anfield start against Aston Villa in January 1997
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Congratulating Steve McManaman with Robbie Fowler at Crystal Palace in December 1997
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In European action against Valencia at Anfield, October 1998
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Jamie wheels away in delight after scoring in the 7-1 rout of Southampton, January 1999
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Jumping for joy after scoring in the League Cup penalty shoot-out win over Birmingham in 2001, which brought Jamie his first winners medal
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Saluting the travelling Kop in Rome after a famous 2-0 win in the Stadio Olimpico in the 2001 UEFA Cup run
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A magnificent defensive performance from Jamie in the Nou Camp helped the Reds see off Barcelona to reach the club's first European final in 16 years
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Trying to catch Gary McAllister after his Goodison free-kick winner in 2001 put the Reds back on track for Champions League qualification for the first time
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After a smash-and-grab FA Cup final victory over Arsenal in Cardiff, Robbie Fowler and Jamie celebrate with the UEFA Cup after the memorable 5-4 win over Alaves in Dortmund sealed an amazing cup treble
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More silverware in Cardiff as Manchester United are seen off in the 2003 Worthington Cup Final
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Only a brilliant Nigel Martyn save denies Jamie a late Kop-end winner in the Anfield derby of January 2004
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Liverpool Echo Sports Personality of the Year 2004
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Not the best start to 2005 as Jamie can't believe Mike Riley hasn't awarded the Reds a penalty against Chelsea on New Years Day
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Doing battle with Duncan Ferguson at Anfield in March 2005 as the Mersey giants battled it out for bragging rights and Champions League qualification points
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Jamie shows how much derby day means as the Reds run out 2-1 winners
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With Sami Hyypia in Turin after a Herculean defensive performance sends the Reds through to the Champions League semi-finals
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Ecstasy at Anfield as Chelsea are kept out for 96 Anfield minutes to send the Reds through to the 2005 European Cup Final
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After defying the odds, AC Milan and, in extra time, cramp, Jamie is first to reach Jerzy Dudek after his penalty save seals the miracle of Istanbul
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Jamie then heads off to the Liverpool end to celebrate..
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. and finds his friends and family in the crowd
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Getting his hands on the European Cup with fellow Scouser Steven Gerrard
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A rare goal away in Kaunas, Lithuania during the following season's Champions League qualifiers
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A proud moment as Jamie lifts the European Super Cup following victory over CSKA Moscow in Monaco, August 2005
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The 2006 FA Cup Final turns out alright in the end, as despite an early Carragher own goal, another penalty shoot-out win beats West Ham
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Jamie is awarded the Freedon of Sefton
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Getting stuck in at the Nou Camp as holders Barcelona are knocked out of the Champions League in 2007
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Another unforgettable Anfield night against Chelsea sends the Reds through to their second European Cup Final in three years
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Milan exact revenge for Istanbul in Athens and Jamie has to settle for a runners-up medal this time
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A boyhood Evertonian, there's no sweeter win than a Goodison Park triumph for Jamie
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Sliding in to score against Fulham at Anfield
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A guard of honour for Jamie and his son James, mascot for the night, ahead of his 500th Liverpool game against Luton Town, January 2008
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Another defensive masterclass brings another famous European away triumph in the San Siro against Inter, March 2008
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At his restaurant Cafe Sports England on Stanley Street
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Celebrating a vital equaliser against Middlesbrough, August 2008
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Jamie with dad Philly
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Jamie and his family
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Lending his support to the campaign to free jailed Reds fan Michael Shields
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Trying his hand at the management lark with Ricky Tomlinson at the charity match in aid of the Marina Dalglish Appeal
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At the launch of his autobiography with Reds legend Kenny Dalglish
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Presenting the Freedon of the City of Liverpool award to bereaved Hillsborough families on the twentieth anniversary of the disaster
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Rallying the troops, Autumn 2009
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Celebrating another win over Manchester United, October 2009
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Having won almost everything there is to win, Jamie still hopes for the League title he needs to complete the set will still happen
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More silverware with son James as the Carling Cup is won at Wembley, February 2012
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A rare Premier League start sees Jamie's deft flick on nodded home by Luis Suarez to gain the Reds a vital point at Chelsea
He said: “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.”
