On the six-year anniversary of signing his first professional contract, Eric Gehrig officially announced his plans to enter the next phase of his life.

A stalwart defender for four seasons with Columbus Crew SC and two more with his hometown Chicago Fire, Gehrig posted a heartfelt Instagram message Tuesday night explaining his decision to retire from pro soccer.

Gehrig was a Chicago Fire PDL standout and an all-conference performer at Loyola (Chicago) who made his way in MLS despite going undrafted out of college. Positive, passionate and relentless, Gehrig was a valuable asset on and off the field in both of his MLS stops, earning Chicago's Defender of the Year accolades despite an injury-shortened season in 2015.

Gehrig had opportunities to continue his pro playing career in 2017, but instead has opted to enter the coaching ranks, serving as part of Veljko Paunovic's staff since the start of Fire preseason camp.

See Gehrig's complete Instagram message below and best of luck to a true class act!