Last updated on .From the section Northern Ireland

McAuley's header against Ukraine has become one of the most iconic goals in Northern Ireland football history

Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley has announced his retirement from football after 23 years in the game.

The former Leicester, West Brom and Rangers centre-half won 80 international caps, scoring nine goals.

McAuley, 39, began his career in the Irish League with Crusaders and spent his last season at Rangers in 2018-19.

"I knew last season was going to be my 23rd and final year as a player," McAuley said in a statement.

McAuley was awarded an MBE for his services to football in Northern Ireland in the New Years Honours list

"I know I'm hanging my boots up for the final time at the right time."

McAuley, who has been without a club since leaving Rangers last summer, added: "I pride myself on getting everything possible out of my career.

"I'm proud to have played with - and against - some of the best players in Northern Ireland, England and Scotland, as well as representing my country for 14 years.

"I enjoyed every second I wore the Northern Ireland shirt and will be forever thankful for the support I was given. To pull on the green shirt of Northern Ireland filled me with bursting pride."

McAuley's final appearance for Northern Ireland came against Austria in the Nations League last November

Having made his debut in June 2005, McAuley's finest moment in a Northern Ireland shirt came when he scored the first goal in his country's 2-0 win over Ukraine at the Euro 2016 finals in France.

His back-post header from an Oliver Norwood free-kick in Lyon helped Michael O'Neill's side go on to qualify for the knock-out stages in what was their first major finals in 30 years.

After three years in the youth and reserve ranks at Linfield, the Larne-born defender joined Belfast rivals Crusaders before moving on to Coleraine.

He won an Irish Cup with the Bannsiders and in 2004 earned a move into full-time football with Lincoln City.

McAuley made 10 Rangers appearances during an injury-hit season at Ibrox

His career continued to rise when Leicester City signed him in 2006 and he joined Ipswich Town two years later before signing for West Bromwich Albion in 2011.

He made 203 appearances during seven years at the Baggies, scoring 15 goals, before finishing his career at Rangers, the club he supported as a boy.

"It's been a dream, a privilege and an honour to represent so many great clubs and work under managers and coaches who helped mould my career," McAuley continued.

"From Lincoln to Leicester, to Ipswich and then West Brom, I fulfilled my ambition of playing in the Premier League.

"Now I'm looking forward to spending time with my wife Fran, my son Bobby and daughter Alexis, and enjoying some of the things I've missed out on down the years."