Former Liverpool captain Sami Hyypia has announced his retirement from football at the age of 37.
The Bayer Leverkusen defender will take up a coaching role with the German club next season while it is also planned that he will become involved with the Finnish national team.
"The decision to retire gradually grew during the season," Hyypia was reported as saying by Finnish TV station MTV3.
"I had no interest any more to go elsewhere to play.
"There are no regrets. Thanks to all those who have helped during the course of my career and to my relatives a big thank you, without family and friends it would not have been possible."
Hyypia added: "It will be an interesting year.
"I must get a coaching license and then I get the experience of Leverkusen and the national team coaching.
"I'm really happy about this. All who know me know I put myself fully into it. It is 100% or nothing."
Hyypia enjoyed a glittering ten years with Liverpool, joining them from Willem II in 1999 and going on to win the Champions League, UEFA Cup, two FA Cups, two league cups and two European Super Cups.