Former Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell has announced his retirement and has returned to Brighton as a youth development coach and ambassador.
The 35-year-old left the Seagulls in June after back and ankle injuries prevented him from playing in the club's debut Premier League campaign.
He previously played for Reading, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Fulham and Stoke.
"I am so lucky and privileged to have lived every kid's dream of playing football for a living," said Sidwell.
"The highs and lows; blood, sweat and tears; scars and broken bones - each have a part in my story, and one I would never change."
Sidwell added he will combine his media commitments with his new roles at Brighton, which will see him assisting in coaching the under-16s and working as a club ambassador at matches and other events.
After coming through the youth ranks at Arsenal, Sidwell had a spell on loan at Brighton in 2002 before joining Reading in 2003.
He helped the Royals win promotion to the Premier League in 2006, playing in their debut season as Reading finished eighth, before moving to Chelsea.
Sidwell made only 15 Premier League appearances for the Blues but also had spells in the top flight with Villa, Fulham and Stoke before being a key part of the Brighton side that won promotion from the Championship in 2016-17.
Fulham FC statement
Steve Sidwell has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35.
After success in Arsenal’s academy, Sidwell made a name for himself as a goal scoring midfielder at Reading, playing a crucial role in their promotion to the Premier League in 2006.
He earned himself a move to Chelsea before later joining Aston Villa, the club from which he transferred to the Whites midway through the 2010/11 campaign.
In his first half-season at Fulham he helped us to an eighth placed finish, netting his first goals for the Club against Liverpool and Arsenal.
The following season saw Sidwell establish himself as a mainstay in Martin Jol’s midfield, playing 27 times until injury brought his campaign to a premature end in February 2012.
Sidwell’s tenacity on the pitch was replicated in the treatment room, as he fought relentlessly to return to fitness, and he was duly rewarded for his dedication when he came off the bench in the 2012/13 season opener to slam home a ferocious penalty in a 5-0 win over Norwich City.
The following campaign was a sombre one for the club as our relegation to the Championship was confirmed after 13 years in the top flight, but Sidwell’s displays were a bright spark.
The midfielder was arguably our best performer and topped the scoring charts with eight goals, whilst also wearing the Captain’s armband in Brede Hangeland’s absence.
Sidwell departed SW6 that summer, with a record of 17 goals in 113 appearances for the Whites.
He spent a further year in the Premier League with Stoke City, before dropping down to the Championship with Brighton & Hove Albion, whom he immediately helped win promotion.
Anyone who follows Steve on social media will be well aware of the affection he still holds for Fulham Football Club, and we hope he’s a regular visitor to Craven Cottage in the years to come.