OFFICIAL: Jedinak retires from international football

BeSoccer 5 years ago 254 |

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Jedinak will now focus on his club career with Aston Villa. AFP

Australian midfielder Mile Jedinak has announced that he is retiring from international football, so as to concentrate on his club career at Aston Villa.

Jedinak, 34, has featured 79 times for his country and represented them in three World Cups - he captained the side for two of these.

The former Crystal Palace man has scored 20 goals for the 'Socceroos' and also captained them to Asian Cup glory in 2015.

Announcing his retirement via an Instagram post, Jedinak remarked: "I can confirm that after much deliberation I have made the decision to retire from playing international football.

"As a young boy growing up, it was my dream to play for Australia and to pull on the famous green and gold shirt to represent my country.

"To have been given the opportunity to not only fulfil that dream, but to have done it 79 times, and many of which as captain, makes me incredibly proud and thankful.

"It is an enormous privilege to represent your country and one I did not take lightly. Words will never be able to do justice the feeling of immense pride I felt when representing Australia.

"I gave everything I had in every single game I played to try and achieve success for our nation.

"However, after a huge amount of time reflecting and discussing with those closest with me, I feel that it is the right time to move aside in order to focus on my club football and prolonging that journey."