Koren announces international retirement

Slovenia captain Robert Koren has announced his retirement from international football.

The Hull midfielder won 61 caps for his country, scoring five goals, and led them at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he netted a late winner against Algeria.

The 31-year-old wrote on his personal website, robert-koren.com: “After long and careful reflection, I have decided to end my career on the national football team of Slovenia.

“This decision is an intensely difficult one for me, as I have always taken great pride in playing for Slovenia and later also captaining our national football team.

“Whenever I was called up to play for my country, I gave my best, always firmly believing that jointly we could achieve good results. This eventually came true, especially when we beat Russia in that memorable epic encounter that took us to the World Cup in South Africa.

“The World Cup was grand: I scored a goal, which secured Slovenia’s first ever World Cup victory and of all my goals means most to me. I feel honoured that the goal I scored at this greatest and most prestigious football event will forever remain etched in the history of our national team.”