Leighton Baines has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35, ending his 18-year career in professional football.
Baines took his bow as a substitute in the final Premier League match of the season, but beaten 3-1 to Bournemouth.
Baines began his professional career with Wigan, making 145 appearances before joining the Toffees in 2007.
He rose to prominence as one of the best English left-back in the Premier League, popularly known as a solid fullback and a free-kick master.
He ended up making a total of 420 appearances and scored 39 goals, as well as awarded Everton Player of the Year on three occasions.
🔵 | Leighton Baines has announced his retirement from football.
Thank you for everything, Leighton. 💙 pic.twitter.com/mhYYWiPHHB
— Everton (@Everton) July 26, 2020
He was also capped 30 times by England, including the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Baines had been expected to sign a new one-year contract, but Everton announced immediately after the final Premier League game that he had retired.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti also seemed to suggest the former England defender may have a role at the club, after becoming a back-up player for the past two seasons.
“Leighton Baines has taken this decision to stop playing, every Evertonian must be grateful to him, he is a fantastic example and had a great career,” Ancelotti said.
“We want to keep him at the club, his knowledge is really important.”