TROOST-EKONG ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL AFTER A DECADE WITH SUPER EAGLES
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Agency Report
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has officially retired from international football, drawing the curtain on a distinguished 10-year spell with the Nigerian national team. The 31-year-old defender made the announcement on Thursday in an emotional Instagram statement, describing his time with Nigeria as the “greatest privilege” of his career.
“Honoured. Grateful. Forever a Super Eagle. Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life,” Troost-Ekong wrote.
“The journey may end here, but my support never will. Here’s to the next chapter.”
His confirmation came shortly after renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reported the development, noting that the defender has decided to step away from the national team after earning 83 caps, winning three medals, and participating in five major tournaments.
Troost-Ekong, who currently plays for Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League, was born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Nigerian father. He represented the Netherlands at youth level before switching allegiance to Nigeria, making his senior debut in an AFCON qualifier against Chad on June 13, 2015.
The centre-back leaves behind a remarkable legacy, including a record as the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history with five goals — a benchmark that will now remain unchallenged following his retirement. Overall, he scored eight goals in 83 appearances for the Super Eagles.
Troost-Ekong’s influence in the national team had waned in recent months under head coach Eric Chelle. He featured sparingly, was an unused substitute in Nigeria’s decisive World Cup play-off loss to DR Congo, and fell behind emerging defender Benjamin Fredrick in the pecking order.
Despite being named in Nigeria’s provisional 54-man squad for the upcoming AFCON in Morocco, he will not be part of the final 28-man roster. The team is expected to begin camp in Egypt on December 10 ahead of the tournament’s kickoff on December 21.
His exit marks the end of an era for the Super Eagles, who must now navigate the continental championship without one of their most experienced leaders as Chelle finalises his squad for Morocco 2025.
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