Liverpool legend Divock Origi announces retirement from football at 31

Liverpool player,  Divock Origi has announced his retirement from professional football.

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The Belgian striker confirmed today that he will be hanging up his boots at the age of 31.

Origi’s statement said: “My purpose in the game is fulfilled. I lived out my childhood dreams, played on the biggest stages, won the biggest trophies. Grateful to God for all of it.

“To all my fans, the clubs, my teammates and my family: this will forever be ours. Thank you. The mission is complete. Now I step into my next calling.

“More of the journey to come. Love, Divock Origi.”

Origi joined Liverpool from Lille, spending eight years at Anfield between 2014-2022. He returned to the French outfit on loan in 2014-15 before a season with German club Wolfsburg in 2017-18.

The Belgian made 175 appearances for the Reds, scoring 41 goals.

And some of his contributions were monumental to the success-ridden reign of Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp described Origi as a “Liverpool legend” before he played his final match at Anfield, stating: “We can only do that with the few we know it definitely.

“I think that is only Div. So, yes, I expect Div to get a special reception, or farewell, or whatever. He is, and will be for me, forever a Liverpool legend [and] one of the most important players I ever had.”

Origi represented Belgium at senior international level on 32 occasions and scored three goals.