Williams salutes supporters as he calls time on a fine Wales career
WALES star Jonny Williams has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 29.
The midfielder, part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, confirmed his decision in a statement released by the FAW on Sunday evening.
He calls time on an international career that’s yielded 33 appearances and two goals for his country.
Confirming the move, he wrote: “I have decided that the time is right for me to step back and retire from international football.
“From the age of 15, it has been an absolute honour and privilege to wear the red dragon on my shirt. I’ve been blessed to play with and alongside so many great players and people over the years.
“Surrounded by an amazing togetherness between players, backroom staff and fans, we created one big family and achieved incredible success.
“Going to two European championships and a World Cup was beyond my wildest dreams, but it was all made possible together.
“I am forever grateful for the opportunities I was given by Osian Roberts & Brian Flynn in the youth teams and to Gary Speed, Chris Coleman, Ryan Giggs and Rob Page at senior level.
“Finally, thank you to the Wales fans for sticking by me from the start.
“You welcomed me into the family from day one and we have shared so many special memories ever since.
“To have my name sung by so many Welsh fans meant the world to me and I thank you for everything.”
Williams, currently playing for Swindon Town in League Two, received his first call-up under Gary Speed in October 2011, but had to wait until the following year to make his first appearance, replacing Gareth Bale off the bench in a 2-1 win over Scotland.
He then made his first start four days later in the home defeat to Croatia, and would go on to feature at both Euro 2016 and Euro 2020, and was also selected in Rob Page’s squad for the recent 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Page is set to announce his latest squad for the forthcoming
Euro 2024 qualifiers with Croatia and Latvia tomorrow, and Williams is the latest star to step away from the international scene.
Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Chris Gunter are the others to have called time on their Wales career since the showpiece in Qatar, and Page now faces something of a rebuild as he looks to get Wales to a third major tournament in eight years.