“I am writing this post to announce that after a career of 18 years, I am retiring from professional football,” tweeted the 36-year-old.

The midfielder became the most expensive player in Belgian soccer history when he moved from Standard Liege to Everton for twenty million euros ($21 million) in 2008, two years after making his professional debut.

Upon David Moyes’s 2013 arrival at Old Trafford as United manager, Marouane Fellaini—a cult idol among Toffees fans thanks to his aerial prowess and striking afro haircut—followed.

During his stint with United, he made 177 appearances and scored 22 goals. He won the FA Cup in 2016, as well as the Europa League and League Cup in 2017.

Fellaini joined Shandong Taishan of China in 2019, however he chose not to renew his contract in November of last year. In his most recent match, Shandong fell to Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Cup final.

After a successful stint with Shandong in the league and cup, Fellaini earned 87 caps for Belgium, where he scored 18 goals and contributed to their third-place finish in the 2018 World Cup.

It has been an amazing journey! Not only did Fellaini play in the 2014 and 2016 World Cups, but he also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play the sport at the greatest level.

It gives me great pleasure to have played for Standard in Belgium, Everton and Manchester United in the United Kingdom, and Shandong Taishan in China.

In this very moment, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the most incredible fans the world has ever seen. Their unfaltering support has been an inspiration to me for my whole career.

“As I embark on this new chapter in my life, I look forward to new challenges, but be assured, I will continue to support the beautiful game in any way I can,” wrote the author.