Kevin Strootman, a former midfielder for the Netherlands national football team, officially announced his retirement from the sport on Friday. The 34-year-old athlete, who accumulated 46 international appearances and netted three goals for his country, found himself without a club following the expiration of his contract with the Italian team, Genoa.

Strootman shared the news of his retirement through a succinct message on social media, expressing his gratitude towards the sport that defined his career. “Careers come to an end. Thank you, football,” he commented in his post.

Throughout his career, Strootman showcased his talent at several prominent Dutch teams, including PSV Eindhoven, before making the leap to the international stage with AS Roma, where he played from 2013 to 2018. He also had productive spells at other clubs such as Marseille and Cagliari.

Despite his achievements, Strootman faced significant challenges, including a severe knee injury that prevented him from participating in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, despite having played a crucial role in securing his team’s place in the tournament.