Shevchenko announces retirement after Euro exit

Donetsk: Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko announced he will retire from international football after his country's elimination from Euro 2012 following a 1-0 defeat by England on Tuesday.

Shevchenko told reporters he intends to says his farewell in a friendly game before standing down from national team duty. The 35-year-old, who is his country's youngest and oldest goal-scorer and record marksman with 48 goals in 111 appearances, was on the bench against England due to a knee injury.

Former AC Milan and Chelsea forward Shevchenko began the tournament in grand style with both goals in the co-host's 2-1 comeback victory over Sweden.

Shevchenko announced his decision after his country Ukraine bowed out of Euro 2012 following a 1-0 loss to England.

Shevchenko's current deal with Dynamo Kiev is due to expire in July and he has expressed interest in a move to North America's Major League Soccer.

Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin said after the England defeat that he was looking to younger players ahead of the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil that starts in September.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)