Cory Gibbs has announced his retirement from professional soccer.
The 32-year old defender has called time on his Chicago Fire career after just over a decade playing top flight football.
Gibbs recently suffered a serious knee injury which ended his 2012 season and has also prompted him to make a very difficult choice.
"It was a tough decision," Gibbs said in a club statement.
"After discussing it with the medical staff, my wife and family, it is the right time for me to step away from the playing field. I've done everything in my power to return to the game, however, my latest injury has made it too difficult to play again.
"It was an honor to represent the United States and the Fire, along with all of the clubs I played with throughout my career."
Gibbs kicked off his career with the Palm Beach Pumas in 2000 before moving to German club St Pauli where he spent two years before heading home to FC Dalals (then known as Dallas burn).
Since then, Gibbs has played for the likes of Feyenoord and ADO Den Haag (both in Holland) and spent time with Charlton Athletic in England before permanently moving back to the States where he had spells with Colorado Rapids and New England Revolution before joining the Fire.
