Liverpool have confirmed that club captain Steven Gerrard will leave the team at the end of the 2014-15 Premier League season.
Speculation has been mounting since yesterday evening that the former England skipper will let his contract expire in order to move to the MLS.
The 34-year-old midfielder said: "This has been the toughest decision of my life, one both me and my family have agonised over for a good deal of time.
"I'm making the announcement now so that manager and team are not distracted by stories or speculation about my future. From now until the last kick of the last game of the season, I'll be as fully committed to the team as I ever have been.
"It is my sincere hope and wish that one day I can return to serve Liverpool again, in whatever capacity best helps the club. 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."
Gerrard has won two FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League since making his senior debut in 1998.
Sian Cowper
