Sierra Leone captain Steven Caulker has announced his retirement from international football, Afrosport reports.
Caulker, who played for England in 2012 before deciding to join Sierra Leone nine years later, has been a key figure in the Leone Stars team in recent times.
The 32-year-old, who played 20 times for the West Africans, made history two years ago when he led Sierra Leone to their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) appearance in over two decades in Cameroon.
Following Sierra Leone’s failure to book a berth at next year’s AFCON tournament in Morocco, Caulker announced his retirement from the international scene with a post on social media.
“Dear Mama Salone,” Caulker wrote on LinkedIn, where he announced his retirement. “The time has come for me to step down as captain of the Leone Stars.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to achieve my goal of qualifying us for another AFCON, and it is with great sadness that I must accept this. I have given my all, three hard years battling against a very broken system.
“At times, we saw progress, but during this last campaign, it became evident that we have, in fact, taken five steps backward.”
The former Tottenham Hotspur and QPR defender added that he would be donated all his wages from the last AFCON qualifying campaign to a charity of his choice.
Caulker added that Sierra Leone is filled with enough talent and the nation must try to get the right people in charge of its football.
“I have donated my appearance fees from the 2024 AFCON campaign to Sick Pikin Project,” Caulker continued. “I do not want to take money that we don’t deserve. This is a fantastic charity doing amazing work and I know that several children will benefit from the donation.
“Sierra Leone has an enormous amount of talent, and it is vitally important that we get the right people in charge, people who know how to bring out the best in the players on the pitch.
“I would like to thank Coach John Keister and SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima for giving me the opportunity back in 2021. I also want to thank my fellow players and the dedicated staff members who gave their all along the way.
“Last but not least, I want to thank the fans. Your support has meant so much to me, and I am incredibly proud to have represented my grandad’s homeland. You welcomed me from day one, and for that, I will be forever grateful.
“Greater days are coming, keep the faith. Steven Caulker”
