Former Columbus Crew, LA Galaxy midfielder Perry Kitchen retires from soccer

Columbus Crew midfielder Perry Kitchen has announced his retirement from professional soccer.

The 30-year-old revealed his decision via a statement on social media, where he cited a back injury suffered in August 2021 that resulted in nerve damage to his right leg as the reason for hanging up his boots.

"Over the last 14 months, I have tirelessly rehabbed, but my body has not recovered to the level it needs to perform. It is with that, that I announce my retirement from professional soccer," Kitchen wrote.

"A huge thank you to the clubs, my teammates, coaches, support staffs, and fans for everything over the past 12 seasons. I always gave you my everything. It was an honor to represent you on the pitch and I will miss fighting for you on game days.

"I'd also like to thank my family and friends for your constant support and encouragement. A special thank you to my parents, for driving hours and giving up weekends for me to play and progress in those early years. And to my wife, thank you for standing by my side throughout my professional career. From multiple moves to the countless pre-game meals you made for me and being my #1 fan in the stands - I could not have done it without you and I am forever grateful for your love and loyalty.

"Although I don't know what the future holds, I look forward to the new challenges ahead and I am extremely lucky to have lived out my dream."

Kitchen's professional career began in 2011 as DC United picked him third overall in the MLS SuperDraft. The midfielder would go on to make 178 appearances for the Black and Red across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and winning the 2013 US Open Cup.

An Indianapolis native, Kitchen then went overseas for spells in Scotland with Hearts and Denmark with Randers, making 63 combined appearances in Europe over the next two years and even captaining the former.

Kitchen then returned to the United States, where he played out his career with a 65-game spell with the LA Galaxy, followed by a year with the Columbus Crew where he was limited to just seven appearances but did receive a Campeones Cup winners' medal.

At international level, Kitchen appeared for the United States 47 times across various youth levels and picked up five senior caps between 2015 and 2016.

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