England star announces international retirement

Newcastle United and England defender Kieran Trippier has announced his retirement from international football. 

The full-back confirmed his decision on Thursday in a social media post, less than three hours before interim Three Lions boss Le Carsley names his squad for upcoming Nations League games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

Trippier, 33, made his senior England debut during a 3-2 friendly defeat against France in June 2017, and has gone on to make a total of 54 appearances for the national side.

The right-back was part of the Three Lions’ squads for four major tournaments, making 11 European Championship appearances – including the 2020 final – and playing in the World Cup nine times in total.

Last season the Englishman endured a difficult campaign with the Magpies, although he still forced his way into Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euros in Germany this summer and played in six of England’s seven games at the tournament.

Trippier scored a stunning free-kick against Croatia in the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup

His final appearance for his country came in the Three Lions’ dramatic 2-1 win against The Netherlands in the semi-finals, just over seven years after his senior debut.

Arguably his finest moment in an England shirt came during the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when the defender scored a stunning free-kick to put his side into an early lead against Croatia; although the Three Lions ultimately lost 2-1 after extra-time.

More recently, the right-back had been used as a makeshift left-back and even left wing-back for England under Southgate.

Trippier will continue his club career, although his future at St. James’ Park remains uncertain with several reports in recent days claiming that the player is seeking a move away from Newcastle.