Chicago Fire defender Brandon Prideaux has announced that he will retire after the 2009 Major League Soccer season, ending a 12-year professional playing career.

"The decision was difficult, but I have decided to retire from my professional playing career at the end of the current Fire season," said Prideaux.

"I would like to thank all of my coaches and teammates from around the league that have made the last 11 years so memorable.

"I am completely committed to helping the Chicago Fire win championships this year."

Prideaux began his professional career with the Seattle Sounders of the United Soccer League (USL) in 1998 after a four-year playing career at the University of Washington.

The Renton, Washington native joined Major League Soccer in 1999 when he was picked up by the Kansas City Wizards, where he played from 1999-2001.

Prideaux helped the Wizards to an MLS Cup title in 2000 before moving to D.C. United in a trade before the 2002 season.

He earned his second MLS Cup title with United in 2004 before eventually moving to the Colorado Rapids in 2007. The veteran defender joined the Fire in 2008.

During his first year with the team, Prideaux started and played in 27 of 30 regular season matches, and started in all three of the Fire's playoff games on their way to the Eastern Conference Final. Prideaux has played in seven of thirteen matches for the Fire this season for a total of 446 minutes on the field in 2009.