Liverpool legend & Bayer Leverkusen defender Sami Hyypia to retire at end of the season

Bundesliga: TSG Hoffenheim – Bayer Leverkusen, Sami Hyypia (Getty Images)

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Former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia has announced he will retire from professional football at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old Finnish centre-back, who has been playing for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga for the last two seasons since his release from Anfield in 2009, made the announcement at a press conference in Finland on Monday morning.

Speaking to Finnish TV station MTV3, Hyypia said: “The decision to retire gradually grew during the season. 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.”

Hyypia will now continue his career as a coach for the Finland national team, and he will also become the Leverkusen assistant manager from next season. Speaking about his new roles, he said: “It will be an interesting year.

“I must get a coaching license 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 per cent or nothing.”

The defender will be remembered fondly by Liverpool fans after spending a decade on Merseyside following his £2.5 million move from Willem II in 1999.

He made over 300 appearances for the club, winning the League Cup and FA Cup twice as well as playing in the Reds side which won the Champions League final in Istanbul in 2005.

The centre-back is also a hero in his homeland after being voted Finnish Player of the Year in nine out of the last 12 years.