KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Sporting Kansas City midfielder Paulo Nagamura is retiring from professional soccer and will join the club's developmental team as an assistant coach for next season.
The 33-year-old Nagamura spent 12 years in Major League Soccer, winning two MLS Cup titles and three U.S. Open Cups. He started 240 of the 269 games he played in MLS with 15 goals and 21 assists.
Nagamura spent the past five seasons with Sporting KC, scoring seven goals in 119 appearances. The Brazilian also played for the LA Galaxy, Chivas USA and Toronto FC.
"Soccer has been my life, and stepping away from the field is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make," Nagamura said in a club statement. "Having said that, I am very excited to begin the next chapter of my career.
"I would like to thank everyone who has showed me support along the way, from teammates to coaches to owners and fans. I would like to thank my family for the unconditional love they have given me through the good times and bad.
"Every time I stepped on the field, I gave it my all and you pushed me to be the best I can be."
Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said Nagamura will be a valuable addition to the Swope Park Rangers' coaching staff, which will be led by new coach Nikola Popovic next season.
"In this era of Sporting Kansas City, it is so great to add one of our icons in Paulo to the technical side," Vermes said. "'Naga' had a huge impact on the success of the club, but equally as important is his understanding of the culture, and he will certainly help pass that along to the players going through the pathway of becoming a pro.
"Coaching and mentoring is in his makeup, and as we look back with pride on his performance on the field in a career centered on his competitive spirit and professional nature, we are excited for the impressions he will make as a coach."