Liverpool legend defender Joel Matip left the ground.

Liverpool officially announced on the club’s website on the 12th (Korea time) that “Matip has confirmed his retirement. The center back left the team in the summer after playing for the club for eight years. During this period, Matip played in 201 games and won several major competitions.”

Matip is a Cameroonian center back born in 1991. Matip grew up through the Schalke 04 youth system in the German Bundesliga. Matip, who stepped on the stage from Schalke to the professional stage, was known as a defender who was good at aerial warfare based on his tall height of 195 centimeters, quick speed, and skillful in modern soccer.

After his debut with Schalke, Matip was a key defender until just before he left for Liverpool in the 2015/16 season. Matip was called a “world class” defender under Jurgen Klopp.

Notably, he displayed outstanding teamwork with Virgil van Dijk and was dubbed the best defense combination in the world beyond England. Matip was paired with Van Dijk and won the title in most major competitions including the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League.

Liverpool fans have good reviews. Matip is considered one of the best recruits in the club’s history as he moved to a free agent that does not require a transfer fee when he moved to Liverpool from Schalke.

However, Matip spent a long time away from the ground due to injuries close to chronic diseases and frequent poor conditions, and had to shake his head, falling short of the performance he showed last season.

In the end, Liverpool did not choose to extend the contract with Matip and 꽁머니 prior to this season. The transfer was expected in that Matip was born in 1991, which is difficult to see as a defender entering the twilight.

Since then, there have been rumors that various clubs including his former club Schalke have contacted him. However, he finally decided to retire after his career with Liverpool.

“Matip quietly took off his soccer shoes this summer. He reportedly declined the chance to join a German club,” British media outlet Express reported, citing German media Luer Nahrichten.