Millwall and Everton legend Tim Cahill retires aged 39 after 23-year career to go into coaching
Aussie international has decided now is the time to call it quits after over two decades as a player
TIM CAHILL has announced he is retiring after 23 years in the game to go into coaching.
The 39-year-old will be fondly remembered at Millwall and Everton after spending 14 years in English football.
Australia's all-time leading scorer Cahill tweeted: "The most powerful thing is chasing your dreams, as a kid all I ever wanted to be was a footballer.
"It's been amazing to have played the game I love professionally for 23 years.
"I want to say thank you to everyone that was a part of this journey.
"Time to retire and more family time."
After joining Millwall as a youth, Cahill played 240 times for the Lions - scoring 57 goals.
He then joined the Toffees where he racked up 278 appearances and 68 strikes in eight seasons.
Cahill moved the MLS with New York Red Bulls before heading to Shanghai Shenhua and Hangzhou Greentown in China.
The well-travelled attacking midfielder - famed for his aerial ability - also played for Melbourne City in his homeland before rejoining Millwall for a 10-game cameo last season.
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His final club was Jamshedpur and there is also the small matter of 108 international caps, which produced an incredible 50 goals.
Cahill - who retired from Australia duty after the World Cup - will now look to pass on his experience to the next generation after a brilliant career.
He twice finished as an FA Cup runner-up after making the final with both Millwall and Everton and won titles in Europe, America and Australia.
