Former England and Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has announced his retirement from football
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On his 20-year footballing career, Crouch played for Premier League sides, Tottenham, QPR, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Norwhich, Southampton, Liverpool, Stoke City and Burnley.
The retired 38-year-old goalscorer has a remarkable record of scoring the most headed goals in Premier League history and capped 42 times for England.
"I have had 23 years to prepare for this moment but, now it is here, you realise nothing can prepare you at all. The time has come refer to myself as a 'former footballer'; this incredible journey I have been on since I was 16 is over," Crouch wrote on his Mail column.
"Football has opened up avenues that I never thought were possible when I started scoring goals in the Hayes and District league as an Under-10. Football, simply, made my dreams come true.
"I think back to when I was 17. I was a trainee at Tottenham but there were 10 forwards blocking my route to the first team. They loaned me out to Dulwich Hamlet then IFK Hassleholm in Sweden. Let's be honest - you would not have taken odds on me making it then.
"Collecting shirts was never something that interested me but I collected memories and have stories that I will be able to tell my children's children. This former footballer had the time of his life. It's time to write the next chapters."
Crouch who earned 42 England caps and scored 22 times for his nationals, is a joint scorer among 28 players to have reached 100 Premier League goals in the England first tier League history.
"If you told me at 17 I'd play in World Cups, get to a Champions League final, win the FA Cup and get 100 Premier League goals, I would have avoided you at all costs. Crouch wrote on twitter.
"It's been an absolute dream come true. Our wonderful game has given me everything. I'm so thankful to everyone who helped me get there and helped me stay there for so long."