Perth Glory’s all-time A-League record goalscorer and appearance holder Andy Keogh is hanging up his boots at the end of the season.

But the former Ireland international is not cutting ties with the club completely. It is understood he is taking up a recruitment role as the club starts its huge rebuild after a disastrous COVID and injury-hit season.

The former Ireland international, who has scored 59 goals in 155 games, said the decision was a tough one.

“The reality is my body has told me that it’s time,” he said.

“My focus now will be on helping this great club achieve sustained success as I transition into a new role.”

Keogh, 35, has had three spells at the club since arriving in 2014.

His best season was the 2018-19 premiership-winning campaign when he scored 15 goals but was frozen out by then-coach Tony Popovic and benched for the grand final.

He left with a year remaining on his contact but returned two years ago.

Keogh’s announcement comes as he goes through his longest-ever goal drought.

He has not scored since notching four in a 5-1 drubbing of Western Sydney last May, and has been plagued by injury this year, making just 10 appearances.

His time at the club has not been without controversy when he was at the centre of the 2015 salary cap scandal.

Dublin-born Keogh, who played for a number of English clubs including Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, said playing football was ”the best job in the world”.

“People say you have to sacrifice a lot in football, but I don’t believe that,” he said.

“But without the sacrifice of my wife and children it wouldn’t have been possible. I cannot thank them enough. They made the real sacrifice.”

Keogh said the highlight of his career was his 30 international appearances.

“It was all I ever dreamed of when I was growing up. To achieve it leaves me very content,” he said.

“I’ve loved every minute of playing for this club.

“I’ll never forget scoring goals at The Shed end and jumping into the crowd.”

Glory owner Tony Sage said Keogh’s contribution to the club had been “extraordinary”.

“His place among the pantheon of Glory greats is well and truly assured,” he said.

“We have been extremely fortunate to have a player of his outstanding quality for such a long period of time.”

Caretaker coach Ruben Zadkovich, who played with Keogh at Glory, said: “He is one of the best strikers I ever played with.

“He’ll be sorely missed.”

Glory chief executive Tony Pignata said Keogh was one of the greatest strikers to play in the A-League.

“His track record places him firmly amongst the very best the competition has seen,” Pignata said.