England manager Roy Hodgson has 'thanked' Rio Ferdinand for his services to the national side following the Manchester United player's decision to retire from the international game.
The 34-year-old has not featured for the Three Lions for nearly two years, and controversially pulled out of Hodgson's squad for their World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro, claiming that it interfered with his training schedule.
"It is important to pay tribute to someone of Rio's stature and the achievements he had in a senior international career with England over 14 years at the highest level," Hodgson said on the Football Association's official website.
"To have captained his country, to play at three World Cups and indeed score in one of those, marks him out amongst a very special group of players. I appreciated the call from Rio to inform me of his decision, which clearly he had spent much time considering before reaching this point.
"I wish him all the best in his club career, and I'm sure the former managers he played under and every England fan will join me in thanking him for his service."
Ferdinand, who has earned 81 caps, made his debut for England against Cameroon at Wembley in 1997, making him the youngest defender to ever play for the Three Lions at that time.
Danielle Joynson
