Nuri Sahin retires from international football at 29

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) - Borussia Dortmund's Turkish star Nuri Sahin has retired from international football.

In a statement on his Twitter and Instagram accounts, the 29-year-old midfielder announced Thursday that he would cease playing for the Turkish national football team.

"I believe in the magical power of change and passing on positions when the time comes. This is a relay race," Sahin said in his statement. "With a good planning, I believe we have a generation of young players that will make Turkey successful in the next 10-15 years."

Sahin added that "every time I put on a Turkey shirt, every minute playing for Turkey were the proudest moments of my life".

The Dortmund player made his international debut with Turkey when he was 17, in an exhibition game against Germany. Since then, he made 52 appearances for Turkey and scored 2 goals.

Turkey failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.