Dirky Kuyt, the former Liverpool forward, has brought his 19-year-long playing career to an end, days after leading Feyenoord to their first league title in 18 years.

The 36-year-old, who captains the Rotterdam club, scored a hat-trick in his side's crucial 3-1 victory over Heracles to seal the Eredivisie crown.

Kuyt, who also represented FC Utrecht and Fenerbahce during his senior career, will now take up an 'off-the-pitch' role at the Rotterdam club.

Liverpool summer transfer targets Show all 9 1 /9 Liverpool summer transfer targets Liverpool summer transfer targets Naby Keita A difficult signing to pull off, but one that Liverpool are interested in making. Keita's dynamic performances in the centre of RB Leipzig's midfield have caught Klopp's eye, but also the attention of Bayern Munich, who are also monitoring the player. Liverpool summer transfer targets Timo Werner Werner scored 21 goals in the Bundesliga last season as his goals fired RB Leipzig to second place and a first-ever Champions League qualification. The German club are keen to keep him but money talks and Liverpool are desperate for an out-and-out goalscorer. Bongarts/Getty Images Liverpool summer transfer targets Dusan Tadic The Southampton attacker is out of favour on the south coast and desperate for a way out of the club. Liverpool are interested in him to provide competition and back-up to the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana with the added strain of European football. Liverpool summer transfer targets Andrew Robertson Given Hull's relegation to the Championship, Robertson is one of the players in the shop window. Left-backs are at the forefront of Klopp's transfer activity and Robertson will come fairly cheap. Getty Liverpool summer transfer targets Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Somewhat surprising reports have arisen over recent weeks that Chamberlain will be a Liverpool player next season. A disappointing season for Arsenal has left their squad in disarray, and it is thought that the 23 year-old midfielder is seeking a new challenge. The player’s versatility across midfield positions is an appealing to Klopp, who will need added squad depth. Arsenal will not be keen to sell to a rival, but if the rumours are to be believed, Chamberlain has his heart set on the Merseyside club and a £35 million transfer could well be on the cards. Liverpool summer transfer targets Douglas Costa The 26 year old Brazilian winger has gained plaudits for his performances at the German champions, yet the player stated earlier in the season that he is ‘not that happy’, presumably at missing out to Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben regularly. He would cost upwards of £25 million and have plenty of suitors, meaning Liverpool are simply one of many clubs he could choose from, although he did recently ‘like’ a tweet from a Liverpool fan about the possibility of him joining the club. There is also a chance that Costa is happy in Munich but is seeking an improved deal, which would come as no real surprise. Liverpool summer transfer targets Ryan Sessegnon Sessegnon is a long-term option at left-back for Liverpool with the 17-year-old lighting up the Championship with Fulham. With only Alberto Moreno, who is expected to leave, and James Milner available in that position, Klopp wants to bring in at least two. He faces competition from Manchester United and Tottenham though. Liverpool summer transfer targets Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang The most speculative target on the list is Gabon forward Aubameyang, who became a household name under Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund. Constant questions over his future are expected to culminate in a move this summer, and while his former boss will no doubt be interested, European giants Real Madrid are circling and thought to be his preferred destination. While the versatile Roberto Firmino has had a good season deployed as Liverpool’s first choice striker and Divock Origi a promising talent, they still lack a world class centre forward like Aubameyang. Dortmund CEO Hanz-Joachim Watzke stated earlier this year that the striker, who has three years to run on his contract, would only leave ‘for an outrageous fee’. Liverpool summer transfer targets Jonas Hector A player Klopp will know well, the 26 year-old is thought to be a serious option with the manager unconvinced by Alberto Moreno. James Milner has deputised brilliantly this season but an out-and-out left back is a priority for the summer. Hector has earned 27 caps for Germany since 2014 and is known for his excellent positional understanding and for putting in accurate crosses. It is thought he would cost in excess of £20 million, which could be well worth it for a good player approaching his prime years.

The former Netherlands international spent six years at Liverpool between 2006 and 2012, earning cult-hero status at Anfield for his work ethic and knack of scoring important goals.

Kuyt scored the winning penalty in Liverpool's 2007 Champions League semi-final shoot-out victory over Chelsea and hit a hat-trick in a 2011 league defeat of rivals Manchester United.

Despite playing in three cup finals, Kuyt only lifted one trophy, the 2012 League Cup, during his time on Merseyside. He was also a regular fixture in Rafael Benitez's 2009 side which finished as Premier League runners-up.



Upon the arrival of Brendan Rodgers as manager in the summer of 2012, Kuyt was sold to Fenerbahce, where he stayed for three years, winning the Turkish Cup in his first season and then the 2014 Super Lig title.

In 2015, Kuyt returned to Feyenoord, the club he had left to join Liverpool. Announcing the end of his playing career on Wednesday, he said: “I came back to win prizes and to be champion with Feyenoord. All my dreams are accomplished.

Kuyt added: “For me feels this as the right time to stop. The league title this season is an absolute highlight.”