By Eskender Tamrat@eskeFussball

Former Wolfsburg striker Origi announces retirement

Divock Origi decided to hang up his boots at the age of 31.

Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images

Belgian striker Divock Origi announced his retirement from football on Monday. In a heartfelt message posted on his social media platforms, the former Wolfsburg striker extended gratitude to his fans, the clubs he played for, teammates and family.

The 31-year-old started his message with a fitting line, “My purpose in the game is fulfilled”. After his one-year loan spell at VfL Wolfsburg, Origi won every title with Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool. In particular, he scored a memorable goal against Barcelona in the 2018/19 Champions League semi-final before doing the same in the all-English final against Tottenham Hotspur.

Similarly, he came up with the goods when Wolfsburg needed him the most in the 2017/18 relegation/promotion playoff tie against Holstein Kiel. He scored and assisted in the first-leg as Wolfsburg kept their league status with a 4-1 aggregate victory. The Lower Saxony side faced a first-ever relegation last month as they lost to Paderborn in a similar stage.

Origi scored seven goals for Wolfsburg in 36 appearances. He played in the World Cup and Euros with Belgium. After his ties with AC Milan ended at the start of the year, Origi was without a club.