Former Liverpool star Adam Lallana has announced his retirement after a career that spanned two decades.
The 37-year-old, who spent six years at Anfield between 2014 and 2020, also played for Southampton and Brighton, starting and ending his career with the former.
Lallana — who ended this season in a coaching role — made 283 appearances for Southampton, earning a move to Liverpool 11 years ago, and during his time with the Reds, Lallana — a favorite of Jurgen Klopp — won the Premier League, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
After leaving Liverpool as a free agent, Lallana spent four seasons at Brighton before returning to Southampton last summer.
"As I call time on my playing career, I do so with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride," Lallana wrote as he confirmed his retirement. "I could not be more appreciative of the opportunities I’ve been given and the support I’ve received along the way.
"You owe so much to so many on a journey like this — it’s impossible to name everyone, but to all those please know how grateful I am. I couldn’t have done it without you.
"It’s crazy to think this all began in the last millennium, when I signed for the academy in 1999. Since making my professional debut in 2006, I realise I’ve been blessed to live the dream that millions of people share.
"Southampton… the place where it all started, and fittingly where it ends. It’s the club I ultimately owe everything to; Liverpool… the chance to represent one of the greatest clubs in the world and win some of the biggest prizes in the game; Brighton… home to some of the happiest years of my life, at a club deeply connected to its community and run in such a smart, modern way; And England… every single cap meant the world to me. Representing my country was the greatest honour.
"I’m proud of the playing career I’ve had and have no regrets about any of it. I embrace all the highs and all the lows as they’ve shaped me into who I am.
"To everyone who made the journey so special, the staff at each club and organisation, the managers and coaches, my teammates, and of course the supporters — thank you.
"But most of all, to my own team… my family. My wife Emily, our amazing sons, my mum, dad and sister, thank you for putting up with me and being in my corner through it all. I’m excited for whatever the future brings."
Lallana was signed by Brendan Rodgers but spent the majority of his time at Liverpool playing under Jurgen Klopp. Speaking in 2021, a year after Lallana left Liverpool, Klopp revealed just how highly he regarded the midfielder.
“I miss Adam still, to be honest," Klopp said. "We obviously don’t have plenty of sessions during the week, because we play that often, but Adam set the standard from first to the last day. That was really impressive.
“What I loved about him, a football player with the technical skills he has, then this working mentality, is really rare. I think we all agree, if Adam would have been a little bit less often injured, that could have been still on another level than it was already. One of the best players I ever worked with, absolutely incredible person as well."