Liverpool confirms captain Gerrard's leaving

This is a Tuesday, Dec 2, 2014 file of Liverpool's Steven Gerrard as he celebrates scoring against Leicester during the English Premier League soccer match between Leicester City and Liverpool at King Power Stadium, in Leicester, England. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is set to move to a foreign club after disclosing on Friday Jan 2, 2015 he will leave his boyhood team after the season to seek a new football experience away from the English Premier League. The 34-year-old midfielder said he "agonized" over whether to accept Liverpool's offer of a new contract, and made the announcement midway through a season when he was no longer guaranteed a place in the team.[Photo/IC]

LONDON - Liverpool confirmed in a statement Friday that the club's iconic captain Steven Gerrard is to leave at the end of this season. Gerrard said it has been the toughest decision of his life. In the statement, posted on the club's website, Liverpool FC said the Reds captain will bring the curtain down on a glittering Anfield career that has spanned nearly 17 years and included 10 trophies, as well as 695 appearances and 180 goals to date since joining the club's youth system aged eight.

"Gerrard will not retire from professional football at the conclusion of the 2014-15 season. No decision on his new club has been made yet, but he will continue his career outside the United Kingdom and at a side that will not bring him into direct competition with Liverpool," added the statement.

The 34-year-old admits it is with a heavy heart he will depart Liverpool, describing the decision as the "toughest of his life", but has chosen to make it now to avoid speculation about his future.