Landon Donovan, one of the most recognizable faces in American soccer, has announced his plans to retire from the sport in the near future.

Landon Donovan Announces Retirement

Donovan, 32, revealed on Facebook Thursday that he would be retiring from professional soccer after the current season of Major League Soccer (MLS) with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

“After careful deliberation and after many conversations with those closest to me, I have decided that this will be my last season as a professional soccer player,” Donovan wrote. “I don't write these words lightly and this day carries mixed emotions for me. I am sad to leave a profession that has brought me so much joy.”

“I will miss all of the teammates who helped me create so many incredible memories on-the-field, and who I have shared many wonderful experiences with off-the-field,” Donovan added. “I will miss my coaches, at both the club and national team levels, who have helped me develop throughout my career and helped make me the player I am today. However, after spending half my life as a professional soccer player, I also am excited to begin a new chapter and pursue other opportunities that will challenge me and allow me to grow as a person."

Donovan explained in his Facebook post that he would go into greater detail in his thanks to former teammates and coaches at a later date, but that at this point he wanted to make sure that his fans knew how grateful his is to them – for himself, but mostly for the sport of soccer.

“For now, I want to single out the fans,” wrote the former standout. “You are the lifeblood of this sport and, without you, none of us would be fortunate to call ourselves professional soccer players in MLS.”

In his post, Donovan didn’t offer specifics about what his plans are now that his playing days are coming to an end. It seems likely, however, that he will parlay his playing career into a career in broadcast, which he tested out during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil for which he was left off the roster, much to his chagrin.

Donovan is the MLS’s all-time leading scorer with 136 goals. He also is the all-time leading scorer for the men’s national team with 57, and has the most appearances (156) of any active player. He’s been named the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year four times and is a seven-time winner of the Honda Player of the Year Award.