Steven Gerrard pledged to one day return to Liverpool after his 17-year professional career with the club.

Gerrard has been captain of Liverpool for more than a decade.

“I’ve been a supporter all my life and that will continue,” he wrote in an open letter to fans in the Liverpool Echo. “I hope to get the opportunity to come back and serve the club again one day. I feel that I can make a contribution in some role in the future.”

Gerrard will have the opportunity to remain a regular with the LA Galaxy.

“I want to keep playing every week in the final few years of my career and I’m looking forward to embarking on a new challenge with Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS,” he added.

“It’s been an absolute privilege to represent this football club for so long. It’s been very humbling and it’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.

“People have often asked me about the pressure on my shoulders to deliver for Liverpool but I’ve never seen that as a burden. It’s been a massive honour to be captain of this club for so long. I’ve always given my best and tried to lead by example.”

He added: “But today is all about looking back and saying thank you to the fans for the magnificent support you have given me over the past two decades. You have helped me to fulfil my dreams over and over again and given me memories I wouldn’t swap for anything.”