Former Fulham forward Clint Dempsey has retired at the age of 35, ending a 15-year professional career.
Dempsey holds the record for the most Premier League goals scored by an American with 57. He also scored 57 times for the USA - a record he shares with Landon Donovan.
"It has always been my dream to make it as a pro," Dempsey said in a statement.
"I'm grateful to have been on this ride."
The Texan made his professional debut in 2004 with New England Revolution before moving to England to join Fulham in 2007.
He scored 50 league goals in his five years at Craven Cottage and was part of the team that finished as Europa League runners-up in 2010 - making him the first American to play in a major European final.
A move to Spurs followed in 2012 but he played just one season in north London before joining Seattle Sounders, where he has spent the past five years.
"I would like to thank all of the fans who have supported me throughout my career with the New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham, Seattle Sounders and the US men's national team," Dempsey added.
"Y'all have always made me feel at home, and it is something that I will always remember."
Dempsey won 141 caps for the United States after making his debut in 2004, and made history by scoring for the national side at three successive World Cups in 2006, 2010 and 2014.
Fulham FC
Fulham favourite Clint Dempsey has retired from football at the age of 35.
The versatile attacker was one of the most important players in the Club’s Premier League history, and is our top scorer in the competition with 50 goals to his name.
His first Premier League strike was one of his most important, netting the winner at Craven Cottage in the penultimate game of 2006/07 to stave off the very real threat of relegation.
The following three campaigns were some of the most eventful in the history of Fulham Football Club, with Dempsey playing a key role.
He established himself as an important squad member as the Whites pulled off the Great Escape in 2008, scoring six times and starting each of those famous wins at the end of the season against Manchester City, Birmingham City and Portsmouth.
Dempsey bettered his goal tally the following term as Roy Hodgson led the Club to a highest ever top flight finish of seventh. The highlight of his eight strikes came when he hit a brace in a 2-2 draw with local rivals Chelsea at the Cottage.
He continued to improve on a personal note, notching nine times in the 2009/10 season as we reached the UEFA Europa League Final. His incredible chip against Juventus to seal our place in the Quarter-Finals will never be forgotten, and will undoubtedly go down as one of the best – if not the best – goal in our history.
An eighth place finish in the league followed in 2010/11, with Dempsey on target 13 times, before he embarked on potentially the best season of his career under Martin Jol.
Dempsey’s 17 Premier League goals in 2011/12 is the best ever for a Fulham player, while he ended the season with 23 strikes in all competitions to his name. January 2012 was particularly prosperous for him, as he hit hat-tricks in consecutive fixtures at Craven Cottage.
Spells at Tottenham Hotspur and Seattle Sounders followed thereafter, although he did return to SW6 on loan for the second half of the 2013/14 campaign, meaning his Fulham record reads: 231 appearances, 60 goals.
“After a lot of thought, my family and I have decided that this is the right time for me to step away from the game,” Dempsey said. “I’d like to thank all of the teammates, coaches and support staff that I’ve worked with throughout my career.
“It has always been my dream to make it as a pro. I’m grateful to have been on this ride. I would like to thank all of the fans who have supported me throughout my career with the New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham, Seattle Sounders and the U.S. men’s national team.
“Y’all have always made me feel at home, and it is something that I will always remember.”
Everyone at Fulham would like to wish Clint all the very best in his retirement, and thank him for his incredible efforts during his time at the Club.