Sat Jun 28 20:06:53 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Sweden's Ljungberg retires from international play

---

Vienna, Austria (Sports Network) - Sweden captain Freddie Ljungberg has announced his international retirement in order to concentrate on his club career with West Ham.

The 31-year-old midfielder featured in all three games as Sweden failed to qualify from its Euro 2008 group.

But after entering the competition with a rib injury and struggling for fitness during his first season with the Hammers, the former Arsenal star has decided to hang up his international boots.

Ljungberg won 75 caps during a decade on the international scene.

"The simple fact is the physical strain of playing on the national team and in club football for such a long time has finally taken its toll," he admitted. "And that is why I have decided to concentrate on playing for West Ham United and that is where my focus will be.

"I will carry on playing football at the highest level in the Premier League for several more years and I love this sport more than anything."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)