Confirmed: Leighton Baines announces retirement after Everton defeat v Bournemouth
Everton defender Leighton Baines has announced his retirement from football on Sunday afternoon after the final round of Premier League fixtures.
The Toffees legend has decided to hang up his boots after his side fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to relegated Bournemouth at Goodison Park.
It wasn't the best way to end his career in which he has excelled in the top-flight with both Wigan and Everton.
Everton confirmed the news after the game on their official Twitter account, with floods of appreciation coming in for the left-back.
Carlo Ancelotti commented on Baines' decision after the defeat, thanking him for all of his efforts since he arrived in Merseyside.
"Leighton has taken the decision to stop playing. I think every Evertonian has to be grateful to him," he said.
"We would like to keep him in the Club because his knowledge is very important. It's his decision."
Ancelotti reiterated his decision to want Baines to stick around in a coaching capacity, and that could well be his next career stepping stone.
There would be no one better from an Everton perspective than Baines who could help young defensive talents such as Jarrad Branthwaite continue to excel.
The 35-year-old cost less than £7million and went on to make 420 appearances for the Toffees, being involved in over 100 goals - simply, a club legend [Transfermarkt].