Former US skipper Bradley announces retirement

Former United States international captain Michael Bradley said Tuesday he will retire from football at the end of this year’s Major League Soccer season.

Bradley, 36, said in a statement he will hang up his boots after a two-decade career following Toronto’s clash with Orlando City SC on Saturday.

The veteran midfielder played 151 times for the United States between 2006 and 2019, and was a key figure in the US campaigns at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

At club level, Bradley began his professional career in 2004 with MLS club MetroStars — now the New York Red Bulls — who at the time were coached by his father, Bob Bradley, a future USA coach.

He subsequently headed to Europe to play for Dutch side Heerenveen.

He later played for the Bundesliga’s Borussia Monchengladbach and English club Aston Villa before stints in Italy with Chievo and Roma. 

He returned to MLS in 2014, joining Toronto, where he has played ever since.

Bradley paid tribute to Toronto’s staff in his retirement announcement released on the team’s website.

“For the last 10 years I have spilled my blood, sweat and tears trying to help this club be the best it could be,” Bradley said.

“There were some incredible days – moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life – and some bad ones too. 

“But I never stopped giving everything I had. Thank you to all my teammates, coaches, and everyone inside the club. This city and this club will always be home.”