Former Liverpool defender and captain Sami Hyypiä has announced his retirement from football at the age of 37.
Hyppiä, who is fondly remembered at Anfield, played for the club for a total of ten years and was integral in our treble-winning side of 2001 and also featured in the historic Champions League Final victory in 2005.
Since leaving the Reds, the ex-Finnish international has plied his trade in Germany playing for Bayer Leverkusen where his performances were said to be extremely impressive as he managed to be named defender of year in the Bundesliga at the end of last season.
It was widely reported in August 2010 that former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson had attempted to bring the towering defender back to Merseyside, but alas his contract with Leverkusen couldn’t be bought out.
“The decision to retire grew during the season,” said Hyypia, who will now take up a coaching role at Leverkusen.
“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.”
Additionally, Hyypiä also wishes to help coach his national team, where he earned 105 caps throughout his international career.
“It will be an interesting year,” Hyypia added. “I must get a coaching licence 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.”
Sami was something of a fan favourite during his time on Merseyside and it’s safe to say that any Liverpool fan would welcome him back to the club in a coaching capacity.
Until then, all of us here on Kopsource wish him the best of luck in his retirement from a career that he can look back on and be proud of.
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