Celtic midfielder Aaron Mooy has announced he is retiring from club and international football with Australia at the age of 32.
Mooy, who has 57 caps for his country, still had a year of his contract remaining with the Scottish champions.
He told Celtic’s website: “While it feels really sad to be leaving the game, I just feel the time is right.”
New Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said he is “disappointed” but “it is something we absolutely respect”.
Sydney-born Mooy came through the youth ranks with Bolton Wanderers, but it was with St Mirren where he first tasted first-team football.
He went on to play for Western Sydney Wanderers, Melbourne City, Manchester City, Huddersfield Town, Brighton & Hove Albion and Shanghai Port before joining Celtic last summer to play under former Australia boss Ange Postecoglou.
Mooy made 41 appearances, scoring seven times, as Celtic secured a domestic treble and also played for his country at last year’s World Cup finals in Qatar.
“I am delighted to finish my career on such a high with Celtic,” he said. “I was delighted to be part of such a memorable season.
“Playing for my country is something I have loved too and, of course, I will miss the international set-up. I have been fortunate to win a number of caps for my country and this has been really important to me.”
Rodgers said Mooy deserved “to make this decision on his own terms”.
“I am delighted for Aaron that he has gone out on a real high after making such a telling contribution to Celtic last season and that, together with all his other achievements, should be a real source of pride to him,” he added.
