The soccer world will be losing a brilliant player at the end of this season.
According to Liverpoolfc.tv, former Reds defender Sami Hyypia has announced his retirement. He will continue to be involved with soccer, staying on as a coach in Finland.
Although the announcement marks the end of a legendary career, Hyypia said he won't look back with disappointment.
"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 joined the Reds in May 1999 when he was acquired from the Dutch club, Wilhelm II, for a meager £2.5million. He acted as a captain for Liverpool periodically throughout his career there and was named permanent captain for the 2002 season. He will arguably be remembered as one of the best defenseman ever to wear a Reds jersey.
Hyypia and Jamie Carragher formed an unstoppable defensive tangent in 2003 and helped lead Liverpool to a Champions League victory.
Sami played every minute of 57 straight games for the Reds from November 2001 to February 2006.
He is not only recognized for his contributions to European soccer, but in his homeland of Finland as well. Hyypia was named Finland's Footballer of the Year seven times for 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008.
In 2008, Hyypia announced that it would be his last season at Anfield. And in his final game for the Reds, fans at Anfield made a "Sami" mosaic.
To view the fan's mosaic, check out the video below.
