Russell (Photo by Warrenfish via Wikimedia Commons)

After 13 years of playing professionally, D.C. United defender Robbie Russell is quitting Sunday to take up a new profession.

Russell, 33, wants to be a doctor, the team announced today. But Russell, who graduated from Duke University in 2000, isn’t going to medical school just yet. Before he even takes the Medical College Admission Test, he’ll first need to complete a few years of science courses in order to catch up with all the other promising physicians.

So, after United’s match Sunday against Sporting Kansas City, Russell will trade in his cleats for a pile of textbooks. But if he ever wants to check in on his former teammates, at least he won’t be too far away. While United attempts to steer itself back in a positive direction, Russell will be brushing up on biology, chemistry, and other subjects at Georgetown University’s post-baccalaureate pre-medical program.

Russell joined D.C. United midway through last season, coming in a trade with Real Salt Lake, and signed a new contract last December. He made 19 starts for United, his last stop in a six-year Major League Soccer career that followed seven years playing in Europe. He’ll spend at least that long before getting his medical degree: Georgetown’s program includes a year of intensive coursework, followed by the MCAT and medical school application process, and finally four years of med school. And then a few more years of a residency.