Carragher’s career* Made his debut against Middlesbrough in January 1997 at the age of 18.* Scored on his Anfield debut later that month against Aston Villa.* Has made 723 appearances for Liverpool, the second-highest behind Ian Callaghan’s 857.* Won two FA Cups, three League Cups, two Community Shields, one Champions League, one UEFA Cup and two Super Cups.* Made his England debut in April 1999 as substitute against Hungary.* In 2007 he retired from England duty, but returned under Fabio Capello for the 2010 World Cup.LONDON – Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher will retire from soccer at the end of the season after making more than 700 appearances for the club, the former England defender said on Thursday.The 35-year-old, who joined the five-times European champions at the age of nine and made his first team debut in 1997, is no longer an automatic starter and his appearances have become increasingly infrequent this season.“This will be my last season at Liverpool and my last as a professional footballer,” said Carragher who won 38 England caps.“I’m making this announcement now because I don’t want the manager or the club to be answering questions on my future when I’ve already decided what I am going to do,” he told the club website (www.liverpoolfc.com).“I will be fully committed between now and the end of the season to doing the very best ... as I’ve done my entire career.”Carragher, second behind Ian Callaghan in the club’s all-time appearance list, has won a string of honours in his 17 seasons at the club and played a starring role in the astonishing 2005 Champions League final win over AC Milan.Liverpool clawed their way back from a 3-0 deficit and Carragher was at the heart of a stirring backs-to-the-wall defensive display before his team triumphed in the final on penalties.This season has been mainly spent behind centre backs Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger in the pecking order at Anfield.Carragher has won his place back in recent weeks though and was impressive in the away draws at Arsenal and Manchester City.“It has been a privilege and an honour to represent this great club for as long as I have and I am immensely proud to have done so and thankful for all the support I have had,” he said.
