Julian De Guzman announces retirement at age 35

Canada's all-time leader in international appearances Julian de Guzman announced his retirement on Monday, with the former Canadian Player of the Year hanging up his boots at 35 years of age.

The Toronto native enjoyed a long and highly successful career spanning 15 years and reaching all over Europe and North America.

De Guzman played for Hannover, Deportivo La Coruna, Toronto FC, and FC Dallas before completing a move to Jahn Regensburg in Germany. He ended his career back in Canada playing for the Ottawa Fury, then of the NASL.

Although De Guzman is retiring from playing, he will not be ending his career with the Ottawa Fury entirely, as the club and player both announced he will be staying with the franchise to serve as assistant coach and assistant GM.

"I’m very honoured and thankful for such a great career and I’m proud to be Canadian," de Guzman said at a press conference in Ottawa, as stated on the club website. "I’ve went through a lot, had to sacrifice everything to do what I love, but I don’t regret anything.

"I've dedicated my entire career to Canada. This is the love of my life."

For his country, De Guzman made a record-breaking 89 appearances with 84 recorded starts. He wore the captain's armband in 25 of those matches and also took part in four different World Cup Qualification campaigns.

The 35-year-old took part in six CONCACAF Gold Cups and won the tournament MVP in 2007, when Canada reached the semi-final of the competition.

"Julian de Guzman is a Canadian soccer trailblazer whose impact on the game will be felt well into the future," said Victor Montagliani, president of Canada Soccer.

"We would like to thank Julian for his hard work, perseverance and leadership over his 15-year career and wish him the best as he prepares for the next chapter of his career."

Ottawa Fury will honor De Guzman at some point during the upcoming season, with further details to be released at a later date.