The timing is right: Wales and Swansea midfielder Joe Allen announces retirement

Allen will play his final game for Swansea on Saturday.

Midfielder Joe Allen won 77 caps for Wales and starred in their run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Wales midfielder Joe Allen has announced his retirement from football after his instinct told him he was not going to reach next year’s World Cup.

Allen, who won 77 caps for Wales and was also a member of the 2012 Great Britain Olympic team, will play his final game for Swansea on Saturday.