- The defender left Liverpool back in May, at the end of the 2023-24 campaign
- The centre back spent eight years playing under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield
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A former Liverpool defender has confirmed his retirement at the age of 33.
Joel Matip has been a free agent since leaving Anfield in the summer and is now on the verge of hanging up his boots, according to a report from Germany.
Liverpool announced the news on their website on Saturday morning, as they paid tribute to his years of service for the club and multiple honours.
Matip, who joined the Reds from German side Schalke in 2016, left the club after spending eight years in Merseyside back in May.
He remained a free agent over the summer, despite his impressive career to date, and being linked with a return to Schalke as well as a move to Hamburger.
Joel Matip (fourth from right) confirmed his shock retirement from football on Saturday
Matip spent eight seasons under Jurgen Klopp and has been a free agent since leaving Anfield
The club also wished their former player well on Twitter, sharing the sweet missive: ‘Congratulations on an excellent career, Joel (raised hands emoji).
‘All the best for your retirement (heart emoji).’
Matip was a consistent feature in Jurgen Klopp’s side for eight years and departed with an impressive trophy haul.
He won seven trophies with the Reds, including a Premier League title, a Champions League, an FA Cup and a League Cup.
Perhaps his biggest moment for Liverpool came in their Champions League final victory over Spurs in 2019, where he assisted Divock Origi for their second goal.
The club confirmed his departure in a statement on their website back in May, as the defender bid farewell with an emotional message.
Matip was given a guard of honour by the Liverpool team after it was confirmed he was leaving
Paying tribute to Matip after he left Liverpool, Klopp said: ‘In all the years that I have been involved in football, I am not sure I have come across too many players who are more loved than Joel Matip. I’m not even sure it would be possible…