Longtime MLS journeyman Mehdi Ballouchy has called it a career.
New York City FC announced on Friday that the 33-year-old Moroccan has retired following a decade-long professional career.
The Casablanca-born midfielder spent the last two seasons with NYCFC, appearing in 23 league games. He also spent time with Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids, New York Red Bulls and Vancouver Whitecaps after being taken second overall in the 2006 MLS Superdraft.
Ballouchy attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska after moving the United States at 16. He made 218 MLS appearances in all, scoring 16 goals. As a youth player, he represented Morocco at U-16 and U-17 level.
In his own words, Ballouchy calls it a career #NYCFC pic.twitter.com/bKKqs3rYcN
- New York City FC (@NYCFC) November 18, 2016
"Mehdi's experience of this league, as well as his passion and enthusiasm, have made him a great servant to this club throughout the past two years," NYCFC sporting director Claudio Reyna said in a statement.
"He'll always be remembered fondly by all of us here as he ends his professional playing career."