Former Liverpool forward Divock Origi retires to pursue fashion, philanthropy
Divock Origi, the former Liverpool and Milan forward, has announced his retirement from football aged 31, saying he wants to pursue other interests – including fashion, entrepreneurism and philanthropy.
Origi released a statement across his social media channels saying that his “purpose in the game is fulfilled”, at the same time as an article for The Players’ Tribute, which detailed his future plans.
The striker made 358 senior appearances and scored 67 goals, playing for Lille, Liverpool, Wolfsburg, Milan and Nottingham Forest.
The Belgian international earned 32 caps for his country, netting three goals, and notably scored Liverpool’s second and final goal in their 2019 Champions League final win over Tottenham Hotspur.
The forward had been without a club since he agreed to terminate his contract with Milan in December.
His statement read: “My purpose in the game is fulfilled. I lived out my childhood dreams, played on the biggest stages, won the biggest trophies. Grateful to God for all of it.
“To all my fans, the clubs, my teammates and my family: this will forever be ours. Thank you. The mission is complete. Now I step into my next calling.
“More of the journey to come. Love, Divock Origi”
The most successful period of Origi’s career came at Anfield where he became a cult hero.
He scored the clincher in the win over Spurs in Madrid, having netted twice in the famous four-goal comeback against Barcelona in the semi-final.
He was also part of the squad which secured Liverpool’s first Premier League title in the 2019-20 season and he was part of numerous dramatic goals including his 96th minute winner against local rivals Everton in December 2018.
In recent months, Origi has been pictured at various fashion events and it is that industry where he is set to take his “passion”, while also wanting to help the upcoming generation of footballers.
In a piece for The Players Tribune, he wrote: “I’m excited about what’s next. I have new purpose and other things in life I want to pursue with the same passion I’ve pursued football all these years.
“For one, I’m really dedicated to pursuing fashion, as a craft. I’m already pouring myself into just gaining a ton more knowledge about the history and the industry. I aspire to study it at the highest level and hopefully have the opportunity to learn from some of the best designers in the world.
“I’m also going to continue to expand on the entrepreneurial side, with DLF, a football agency I’m developing with my partner and co-owner Marvin Willem Ofori. And ultimately, just looking for any opportunity to be a bridge, either for the next generation of football players, or more broadly, through my philanthropy. Or even just as a person.”