David Beckham Announces Retirement from Soccer

David Beckham has officially announced his retirement from professional soccer after this current season with his team Paris Saint-Germain.

The 38-year-old soccer star said he is “thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level,” in a statement on Thursday (May 16).

“If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over one hundred times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I’m fortunate to have realized those dreams,” David added.

“I’m honored to represent England both on and off the pitch. … I want to thank all my teammates, the great managers that I had the pleasure of learning from. I also want to thank the fans who have all supported me and given me the strength to succeed,” David concluded.

Also pictured inside: David and his former team Paris Saint-Germain celebrating their French league title in Paris, France earlier this week. On Thursday (May 16), David was spotted leaving practice in a grey t-shirt.