5 hours ago
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Giorgi Mamardashvili has extended his heartfelt wishes to Jaume Domenech following the latter's retirement announcement.
Domenech, a former teammate of new Liverpool goalkeeper Mamardashvili at Valencia, has decided to hang up his boots at 34 to devote more time to his daughter, who is battling health problems. Domenech, who made 122 appearances for Valencia and worked closely with Mamardashvili, the club's first-choice keeper for four years, announced his retirement on Instagram.
He wrote: "Today, I want to share a deeply considered decision with all of you: I have decided to end my career as a professional football player. First, I believe it's only right to thank all the clubs that contacted me this summer and formally showed their interest in having me be a part of their projects, and for their patience in waiting for me to make a final decision.
"Football is my life, my passion, but things don't always happen the way you'd like. I am hanging up my boots due to a health situation with one of my loved ones.
"My heart and the values that have shaped me as a person tell me that I need to be by their side. I feel that I must be close to my family now, not far away."
Mamardashvili, who moved from Valencia to Liverpool this summer, still maintains strong ties with his former club.
Domenech further stated: "The journey as a professional footballer has been thrilling and ends today for a greater cause, but I also want to say that I am not saying goodbye to football. I am simply closing one chapter to open another.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your love and understanding."
Mamardashvili responded: "You are an example to everyone Jau!! Best of luck."
Former Valencia and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Carlos Soler penned: "Those of us who have shared the locker room with you know everything. We love you very much, friend!
"This new stage is going to be spectacular, I'm sure. Thank you for everything."
Domenech elaborated on his decision in a subsequent interview. "It's a matter of my daughter," he revealed on VCF Media Radio.
"Since she was born, she has had a health situation that has evolved very well, and in recent years, with my injuries, I haven't had the participation I would have liked on the field.
"As a family, we considered playing a year away from home. But during the summer, a particular situation arose with my daughter, and then it didn't make sense to live an experience away from them.
"I'm a father who likes to be with his family, and I thought it was the right moment to stop and take care of my own. It's a situation that has come to me now, and it must be faced with responsibility and willingness."
English (US) ·