The 33-year-old Bale announces his retirement from professional football on Monday

Welsh forward Gareth Bale announced his retirement from professional football on Monday after an illustrious 18-year career, hanging up his boots as one of the most successful and decorated players the sport has ever seen.

“We want to thank Gareth for everything he has brought to our club,” said Los Angeles Co-Chairman and General Manager John Thorrington. “He came here to win championships in Los Angeles and, as he has done throughout his career, he did it. It was an honour that one of his generation's most talented, dynamic and exciting players ended his career with a title for Los Angeles, and we wish Gareth, his wife Emma and his family the best in their future endeavours".

Bale, 33, joined Los Angeles on June 27, 2022, following a nine-year career with Spanish League club Real Madrid. Bale, a five-time European Championship winner, has won an unprecedented 21 trophies since 2013.

In his spell at Los Angeles, he made 13 appearances and scored three goals. The Welsh international quickly reclaimed his status as a Club legend, scoring an equalizer for Los Angeles in the 128th minute of the 2022 American Championship Final to send the match against Philadelphia to penalty kicks, where Los Angeles would go on to win the Club's first American Championship and add another trophy to Bale's brilliant resume.

He is one of the greatest Welsh players of all time, having made 111 appearances for Wales since 2006, scoring 40 goals and registering 22 assists in all competitions. Bale was instrumental in leading Wales to the 2022 World Championship in Qatar, securing his first appearance at the tournament in 64 years. He also helped lead Wales to the round of 16 of the 2020 European Championship.

Bale captained Wales to the World Championship in Qatar, scoring the goal in a 1-1 equalizer against the USA in the group stage match on November 21, 2022. In his last international match, Bale played 45 minutes in the final group game against England on 29 November.

A native of Cardiff, Wales, Bale made his professional debut in 2006 aged 16 with English championship club Southampton before moving to English Premier Championship side Tottenham in 2007. During his time with Tottenham, he was named Men's Player of the Year in the league in 2011 and 2012 and selected for the 2011 European Team of the Year.

Bale joined Cristiano Ronaldo as the second player in history to win the league Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Footballer of the Year award of the year from the FWA when he did so in 2012. Between 2007 and 2013 he scored 42 goals in 146 appearances for the Spurs. Bale also scored 11 goals and provided two assists for Tottenham during the 2020-2021 English Premier Championship season while he was on loan from Real Madrid.

Bale joined Real Madrid in 2013 and finished his time there as an official club legend, making 258 appearances and registering 106 goals and 67 assists in all competitions, including 176 Spanish Championship appearances. He was an important part of an incredible era at Real Madrid winning 19 trophies, including five European Championships, four Club World Championships, three Super Championships, three Spanish Championship titles, one Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Championships.

Bale scored goals in the 2014 and 2018 Champions League finals, was named the 2018 Champions League Best Player, and won the Ballon d'Or at the 2018 Club World Championship.

Bale received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth of England on June 2, 2022, as part of the Queen's Birthday Honors List. The award stands for "Member of the Order of the British Empire" and Bale received it for his services to football and charity. Bale has made significant donations to hospitals in Wales and Spain to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.