By FRANCO PANIZO
After battling constant knee problems for much of the past year, Steve Cherundolo is has calledl it a career.
Cherundolo, the club’s captain and longest-serving professional player, announced his retirement on Thursday.
The 35-year-old Cherundolo has been battling persistent knee problems for much of the past year, and has been limited to just 81 minutes in two Bundesliga appearances this season. The right back’s last cameo was a start in a Dec. 21 loss vs. SC Freiburg, but he has suffered setbacks since then and has not been able to return to game action.
Cherundolo will remain with the club in an official capacity.
Cherundolo joined Hannover to start his professional career in 1999 and remarkably spent all 16 of his seasons with the club. He became a leader and was nicknamed the Mayor of Hannover.
From a U.S. Men’s National Team perspective, Cherundolo would end his time as one of the most consistent American defenders to ever play. He would finish with 87 caps and two goals, and as a member of three different World Cup squads.
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What do you think of Cherundolo calling it a career? How do you look back on his time at both the club and international levels? Consider him one of the best USMNT defenders of all time?
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