( CNN ) Liverpool must prepare for life without one its greatest ever players after captain Steven Gerrard confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the 2014-2015 season . `` This has been the toughest decision of my life and one which both me and my family have agonized over for a good deal of time , '' Gerrard , who has played 695 times for Liverpool , told the club 's website . `` I am making the announcement now so that the manager and the team are not distracted by stories or speculation about my future . '' Gerrard will continue playing football -- but not in the English Premier League -- and Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio has reported that U.S. club LA Galaxy are interested in signing the Liverpool midfielder . `` I 'm going to carry on playing and although I ca n't confirm at this stage where that will be , I can say it will be somewhere that means I wo n't be playing for a competing club and will not therefore be lining up against Liverpool -- that is something I could never contemplate . '' Tributes from fellow professionals have poured in . Liverpool teammate Kolo Toure told CNN : `` It has been an honor and it is still an honor for me to play with this amazing man . He is a top professional and a true legend . '' Former teammates for both club and country also took to Twitter to praise the midfielder . Michael Owen said : `` Hard for the Steven Gerrard news to sink in . Amazing servant to Liverpool , arguably the best of all time , '' while Jamie Carragher tweeted : `` Sad day for Lfc & English football with the Gerrard news . I think its the right decision all things considered . '' The 34-year-old made his first-team debut for the Reds in November 1998 and has scored 180 goals to date in all competitions . Gerrard , who also represented England 114 times before retiring in July , won eight trophies with the club including two FA Cups , three League Cups and the UEFA Cup in 2001 . His greatest achievement came in 2005 when he captained Liverpool to victory in the Champions League final against AC Milan in Istanbul . Gerrard won the Man of the Match award as Rafa Benitez 's side overturned a three-goal deficit to eventually win a dramatic match in a penalty shoot-out . It was Gerrard 's looping headed goal early in the second half that sparked Liverpool 's remarkable recovery . However , his long-cherished desire to win the Premier League never materialized -- Liverpool came close in 2009 finishing second to Manchester United and last season Brendan Rodgers ' side were pipped to the post by Manchester City . Even more distressingly Gerrard 's mistake in the 2-0 home defeat by Chelsea near the end of the season gifted the visitors their first goal -- an error opposition supporters continue to remind the Liverpool captain about in a song during games . A 19th League title in his final season , and a first for the club in a quarter of century , looks improbable -- the Merseysiders are currently in eighth place in the table , 17 points off top spot . Gerrard reasserted his commitment to the team for the rest of the season and has n't ruled out a return to Anfield in the future . `` It is a very special place to be part of . It is my sincere hope and wish that one day I can return to serve Liverpool again , in whatever capacity best helps the club , '' he said . Gerrard also paid tribute to Rodgers , the owners , his teammates and backroom staff , but reserved his most heartfelt thanks to the club 's loyal supporters . `` My final message is for the people who make Liverpool Football Club the greatest in the world -- the supporters . `` It has been a privilege to represent you , as a player and as captain . I have cherished every second of it and it is my sincere wish to finish this season and my Liverpool career on a high . ''
Steven Gerrard to leave Liverpool at end of 2014-2015 season . - The club will not sell any players in the summer transfer window, and will only sign new contracts for existing players. Midfielder will continue playing football -- but not in English Premier League .