Villa´s Laursen announces international retirement

Aston Villa’s Danish captain Martin Laursen announced Thursday he was retiring from international football due to his injured knee.

The 31-year-old Denmark defender has recently undergone surgery on the problem knee and will not be back in action at least until the end of March.

“It’s my decision, and it’s the hardest I’ve ever had to take in my career,” he said in comments carried on the Danish Football Federation’s website.

“I’ve done everything to avoid taking this decision because I love playing for the national team and there’s nothing I want more than for the side to qualify for the World Cup.”

Laursen takes his leave with 51 caps having taken part in Euro 2000, the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.

Before joining Villa in 2004 he spent five seasons in Serie A with Verona, Parma and AC Milan.