Football: Evans announces international retirement

Northern Ireland captain Jonny Evans has announced his retirement from international football.

The 36-year-old Manchester United defender revealed the news on his social media channels on Wednesday evening.

Evans made 107 appearances for Northern Ireland, scoring seven goals in the process, after making his debut as an 18-year-old in the famous 3-2 victory over Spain at Windsor Park in September 2006.

A decade later, he was an intergral part of Michael O'Neill's squad at Euro 2016, before becoming only the fourth player to earn a century of caps for his country during the match against Greece in September 2022.

The Newtownabbey man has made over 150 appearances for Manchester United across two spells at Old Trafford. He made his debut under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2006, beofre departing in 2015 for West Bromwwich Albion.

After three seasons with the Baggies, Evans headed to Leicester City in June 2018. After being released at the end of the 2022/23 season, the centre-back began training with his old club Manchester United to retain his fitness.

That led to a one-year deal under Erik Ten Hag, with Evans ending up playing 23 times last season. He then penned a one-year extnesion to remain in Manchester for the current campaign and has made one appearance so far.

Evans was awarded the MBE in 2023.