FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Newcastle United - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 15, 2024 Manchester United's Jonny Evans looks dejected after Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon scores their first goal REUTERS/Molly Darlington/File Photo
(Reuters) - Northern Ireland captain Jonny Evans announced his retirement from international soccer on Wednesday at the age of 36 and after 107 caps.
The Manchester United defender, who won his last cap against European champions Spain in a friendly in June, made his international debut in 2006.
"After much thought and consideration and after 18 years, I feel like now is the right time to retire from international football," Evans said in a statement, pointing to reaching the last 16 at the 2016 European championship as the highlight.
"Putting on the green shirt 107 times and representing the people of Northern Ireland has been my biggest honour."
Evans made his announcement a day before Michael O'Neill names his squad for next week's Nations League games against Luxembourg and Bulgaria.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Clare Fallon)
