Mile Jedinak announces Australia retirement to focus on Aston Villa career
Monday 1 October 2018 10:12, UK
Australia international Mile Jedinak has announced his retirement from international football in order to focus on his club career.
The 34-year-old won 79 caps for his country and represented them in three World Cups, twice as captain.
Jedinak, who also led Australia to victory in the 2015 Asian Cup on home soil, scored 20 goals for the Socceroos.
But in a post on Instagram, Jedinak explained he wanted to prolong his career in club football, where he currently plays for Aston Villa in the Championship.
He wrote: "I can confirm that after much deliberation I have made the decision to retire from playing international football.
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"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."
