Former Premier League star Morgan Schneiderlin has announced his retirement from playing at the age of 34.
The midfielder made 200 top-flight appearances in England for Southampton, Manchester United and Everton between 2012 and 2020.
Schneiderlin also represented Southampton in League One and the Championship.
He joined the Saints from Strasbourg for a modest fee of £1.2million in 2008 before moving to Old Trafford in a £25m switch seven years later.
Schneiderlin won the FA Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Europa League with United despite being at the club for less than 18 months.
Former Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has retired at the age of 34
His time in England ended at Everton, where he made 73 Premier League outings over four seasons.
Schneiderlin – who was capped 15 times by France at senior international level – played for Nice, Western Sydney Wanderers and Greek side Kifisia after leaving England.
He announced his retirement via Instagram on Friday by posting a video of his career highlights. Narrating the video, Schneiderlin said: ‘Each person writes their own journey in life and each stage of their life is a chapter.
‘For me, the chapter as a football player is coming to an end, which is why, before I start writing a new chapter in my professional career, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude.
‘Thank you to Racing Club de Strasbourg, who gave me an opportunity at the age of five, and where I stayed until I was 18.
‘Thank you to the coaches I encountered from my youngest age there, thank you to the Racing training centre, thank you to those who believed in me.
‘Thank you to Southampton FC, I truly spent my best years with you. Thank you to Manchester United, one of the greatest clubs in the world.
‘Thank you to Everton FC, thank you to OGC Nice, thank you to Sydney Wanderers, thank you to Kifisia FC.
Schneiderlin (middle row fifth from the left) pictured during a Man United team photo in 2016
‘Thank you to my agents Alex and Pascal, who have listened to me and became my friends.
‘Thank you to all the coaches I had the honour of working under and what a great list it is.
‘Thank you to my mother, who has always been there and will always be there to support and encourage me. Thanks to you Dad, who is now up above, for your high standards and instilling in me the value of hard work. You both taught me the values that make me the man I am today.
‘Thank you to my sister for always being there for me… and losing one or two teeth while playing goalkeeper just to make me happy.
‘Thank you to my friends, thank you to my family. Thank you to my wife, who listened to me rejoice and complain, who supported me and followed me everywhere around the world.
‘Thank you to my children, who helped me forget the pains and defeats. You three are my greatest victory.
‘Thank you to my team-mates, with whom so many moments were shared.
‘And I haven’t forgotten you, the fans. Thank you to everyone who followed, encouraged, applauded, idolised, booed, and even disliked me. You were a great source of motivation.
Schneiderlin has been married with wife Camille Sold since 2017 and they have three children
‘All of you allowed me to fulfil my childhood dream, that dream that allows a person to wake up every day and live their passion. That dream that led me to wear the French national team shirt for a World Cup and a Euros.
‘I am deeply grateful to you all, as today that little boy from a village who dared to dream has made his dream come true.
‘I say to you, ‘see you soon’ because, as I said, I am in the process of writing a new page and I know it will be just as beautiful.’
Schneiderlin tagged all of his former teams in his Instagram post. Many of his ex-team-mates then replied in the comments section.
The midfielder made 200 top-flight appearances for Southampton, United and Everton
‘Thanks for everything bro,’ wrote former United and France forward Anthony Martial.
Fellow Southampton legend Jose Fonte said: ‘Thank you my brother. Beautiful career, I am a big fan of you mate. Great player and a great man, see you soon.’
Another ex-Saints defender Dejan Lovren added: ‘Was a pleasure brother. Well done on everything in your career. Fantastic. Enjoy now the time with the family.’
Meanwhile, Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye commented: ‘Congratulations for your career and the man you are my guy’.