Ex-Liverpool star who left Jurgen Klopp regretting transfer retires from soccer

One of Jurgen Klopp's first signings at Liverpool was Steven Caulker, who arrived on loan from QPR in January 2016; the former Premier League defender has retired from soccer

Former Liverpool star Steven Caulker has retired(Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool defender Steven Caulker has retired from professional soccer.

The 33-year-old is remembered on Merseyside for being one of Jurgen Klopp's first signings as Liverpool manager back in January 2016. He only made four appearances for the Reds, with Klopp later admitting his regret at signing the England international.

Caulker announced his retirement via LinkedIn on Friday. "It's time to announce my official retirement from my playing career," wrote the former Premier League star. "17 seasons, 17 teams, and 5 different countries. I had a good taste of Premier League football, played and scored for England, captained Sierra Leone, played in the Olympics, spent time as a player-coach, and met some incredible people along the way.

"Along with the highs, there have been some serious lows. It's been a rollercoaster, to say the least.

"Today, I am very grateful for having experienced both sides of the coin, as it has helped me grow as a person.

"I would like to take this moment to thank everybody who has supported me along the way: family, friends, coaches, and fans.

Caulker was mostly used as a striker by Jurgen Klopp(Image: Getty Images)

"I look forward to now focusing full-time on my coaching and using all my experiences to help guide the next generation. Let's see what 2026 has in store."

Caulker came through Tottenham's academy before completing loan spells at Yeovil, Bristol City, and Swansea. He represented Team GB's Olympic squad in 2012 and made his senior debut for England that same year, scoring in his only appearance against Italy.

Caulker left Tottenham for Cardiff in 2013 and transferred to QPR a year later. He joined Southampton on loan for the 2015-16 season, but that deal was ended in January 2016 to allow the defender to complete an unlikely loan move to Liverpool.

Klopp brought Caulker in due to an injury crisis, but he didn't need to use him as much as he expected. Klopp mostly used Caulker as an auxiliary striker, bringing him on late in games. "Now we have too many center-halves," Klopp admitted in March 2016.

"The day before we put the squad list in, we didn't have any. Now we have too many, and you think, 'My God, what have we done?' That was the thing we had to do at that time. Now we have to get into the next round with the players we have available."

Caulker later admitted to talkSPORT: "I'm not sure he actually knew me when I signed. Whether I was his signing or the club's signing, I'm not sure."

Yet he added: "It was a great experience (to play for Liverpool), and I’m grateful to have had those minutes up front and to have got the equalizer against Arsenal - what a moment."

After leaving QPR in 2017, Caulker went on to play in Scotland, Turkey, Spain, and Iceland. He was also eligible to change his international allegiance to Sierra Leone, representing the country at the Africa Cup of Nations and wearing the captain's armband.