Seattle Sounders' Djimi Traore to retire in 'the next few weeks'

If it seems like forever ago that Djimi Traore started as Liverpool left-back in the 2004-05 Champions League final, that's because it's been more than nine years, and the Malian defender is now 34.

Traore, now part of the Seattle Sounders squad that's one match away from reaching the MLS Cup, is obviously in the final stages of his career, but he let it be known Sunday just how close he is to hanging up the cleats once and for all.

"I think I'm going to retire soon," Traore said, according to The Guardian.

Think?

"Yeah, I am," Traore then confirmed. "We're talking about the next few weeks."

Should the Sounders fail to overturn the 1-0 score on aggregate in the Western Conference Championship against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Sunday's second leg will likely mark the end of Traore's career. And despite having featured for several clubs throughout his career, it's his seven-year stint at Liverpool for which he'll be remembered.

Traore made 141 appearances for the Merseyside club, helping them claim the 2004-05 Champions League title under Rafael Benitez. Unfortunately, an own goal that gifted Portsmouth a 1-0 win in the third round of the FA Cup during that campaign will also be a staple of his time at Anfield.

"I'm not ashamed of anything I did about at Liverpool," Traore said. "It was hard for me - when I went there I was 19, coming from a small club in France (Laval) to one of the best in England. When I look back I'm very proud of what I achieved.

"When you look at the foreign players who came to Liverpool around that time I played more games than most of them. I know I was not the best but I certainly tried my hardest and I'm very proud because in winning the Champions League I achieved something that few people have."

During his two seasons in Seattle, Traore has made 45 MLS appearances and it was his goal last year that helped the Sounders secure their spot in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.