New York Red Bulls favourite John Wolyniec has hung up the boots and taken a job with the academy.

Wolyniec ended a 12-year pro career this week.

"Over the last 12 years, I have been able to live my dream of being a professional soccer player and I am so grateful to the individuals who have helped me along the way," Wolyniec told the New York Post. "I would not have been able to have such a successful career without the support of family, friends, coaches, teammates and fans. Though I will miss the game, I am looking forward to the new challenges ahead."

Wolyniec has accepted a job with the Red Bull Academy, and the team will honor the Staten Island native at the Oct. 2 tilt against the Kansas City Wizards.

"John has been a wonderful player and ambassador for the club and the league for so many years," Red Bull GM Erik Soler said in a release. "We hold him in the highest regard and his work ethic and professionalism both on and off the pitch was second to none. We want John to continue to be a part of this club for years to come and we're excited to give him to opportunity to pass along the values he has to the next generation of players."