Republic of Ireland record caps holder Robbie Keane has announced his retirement from international football after a career spanning 18 years.
Keane will feature for the final time when Ireland host Oman in a friendly on 31 August, before the Boys in Green kick off their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign against Serbia.
The LA Galaxy striker, who is his nation’s greatest ever goalscorer with 67 goals, made the announcement via his Facebook page.
“Today, I am announcing my decision to retire from international football following the upcoming game with Oman on 31 August in the Aviva Stadium,” he said.
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“It has been a wonderful journey for me to have played with the Irish national team for over 18 years since I made my senior international debut back in 1998. I have enjoyed it all.
“It has also been a great honour, for both me and my family, to have been given the opportunity to captain my country for over ten years.”
Irish manager Martin O’Neill spoke highly of Keane in a statement on the Football Association of Ireland website.
“He is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s finest every players and I do not see his international goal record being beaten for a very long time, if ever. It will take us some time to get over his absence,” he said.
Keane is still in strong form in the MLS having found the back of the net seven times in 13 appearances.
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