Legendary commentator Martin Tyler will LEAVE his role at Sky Sports

Iconic television commentator Martin Tyler will step down from his role with Sky Sports ahead of the new Premier League season.

Tyler, whose 33-year spell with the broadcaster has been called to an end, was perceived by many as the voice of Sky Sports' Premier League coverage and has become one of the most recognisable commentators in football history.

Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Friday that Sky Sports had axed half of their football reporting team in a brutal cost-cutting exercise, with veteran interviewer Geoff Shreeves being asked to take a significant pay-cut.

The rest of Sky's decisions have been made after a consultation over redundancies in April, with six of their 13-strong team of football reporters being cut, although some chose to go voluntarily and others may be offered alternative roles.

Tyler was lead commentator on Sky Sports' flagship weekend show Super Sunday and featured as well on other programmes - covering global events such as the Champions League, World Cup and European championships for broadcasters in the US and Australia.

It is understood the commentator is not retiring and left Sky Sports on good terms.

In a statement to Telegraph Sport, he said: 'In my humble opinion, the huge corporation Sky is today has stemmed from Sky Sports' innovative and inspired coverage of the Premier League. It has been a privilege to play a small part in the broadcasting history of the greatest league in the world.

'Along the way I have worked alongside legions of wonderful professionals in all aspects of the television industry. I thank them all for their support and expertise. It has been an honour to be a member of a very gifted team.'

Tyler's most famous commentary moment came during the climax of the 2011-12 season, when Sergio Aguero netted Manchester City's injury-time winner against QPR to snatch the Premier League title away from rivals Manchester United in the dying moments of the campaign.

His iconic line after Aguero's goal - 'I swear you'll never see anything like this ever again! So watch it - drink it in' - is still quoted today by a generation of football fans.

Gary Hughes, Sky Sports' director of football referenced some of these iconic moments in his statement on Friday.

It read: 'Everyone at Sky Sports would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Martin for his unparalleled contribution and dedication to our coverage over the last 30 years. "The Voice" will always be synonymous with the Premier League and Sky Sports.

'When you think of commentary, you think of Martin Tyler. "Collymore closing in" [from Liverpool's 4-3 win over Newcastle in 1996] and "Aguerrrrrroooooooooo" are two of the greatest moments in Premier League history. We thank him and wish him all the very best for the future.'

Jamie Carragher, who regularly shared the commentary box with Tyler, led tributes to the iconic commentator on Saturday morning.

'I listened to Martin Tyler commentate on Everton’s greatest ever game against Bayern Munich in 1985,' the former England international began on Twitter. 'He was commentating on my full debut & first goal for Liverpool as an 18yr old in 1997.

'I then had the privilege to work alongside him for 10yrs, the highlight being an Origi last minute derby winner! Martin is one of the all time legends of the commentary box.

'"Aguerooooo" is one of the most iconic commentary lines in the history of the game!'

Meanwhile, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: 'Martin has had an incredible broadcasting career, spanning nearly 50 years commentating on football, and his voice has been synonymous with the Premier League since it began in 1992.

'He has made a remarkable contribution to the game and there will be generations of football fans who will always remember his words in those big game moments, and of course 'that goal' by Aguero on the last day of the 2012 season.

'Whether on Sky Sports, ITV or globally through his work with Premier League Productions and other international broadcasters, covering Premier League games, European matches or World Cups, Martin's insightful commentary and analysis has always added something special to games.

'I would like to thank Martin on behalf of everyone at the Premier League for the incredible role he has played and we will miss hearing him from the Sky Sports commentary box.'

Due to Sky Sports' cost cutting, experienced and well-respected journalists such as Guy Havord, Dickie Davis, Bianca Westwood, Greg Whelan, Lynsey Hooper and Jaydee Dyer will also not be continuing in their current roles.

Emma Saunders appears to be the only female reporter to survive the cull, along with David Craig, Patrick Davidson, Jonathan Oakes, Johnny Phillips and Luke Shanley.

Sky’s decision to remove half of their football reporting team will raise further questions over the future of their results programme Soccer Saturday, which is currently without a presenter after Jeff Stelling confirmed he was leaving at the end of the season. Sky declined to comment.