Former Town central defender Gareth McAuley has announced his retirement, aged 39.
The Northern Irishman was signed by Jim Magilton from Leicester City in the summer of 2008 for £1.1 million and went on to make 126 starts and one sub appearance, scoring eight times before departing on a Bosman free transfer to West Brom in the summer of 2011.
McAuley, who won 80 caps for his country, scoring nine goals, spent seven years at the Hawthorns, during which time he played in the Premier League, before joining Rangers for his final season in the summer of 2018.
Born in Larne, McAuley started his career in English football with Lincoln City having been with Linfield, Ballyclare Comrades (loan), Crusaders and Coleraine in his home country.
Announcing his retirement, McAuley, who was given an MBE earlier this year for services to Northern Irish football, released a statement on social media in which he said: "It’s been a dream, a privilege and an honour to represent so many great clubs and work under managers and coaches who helped mould my career.”
After 23 years playing football its time for new challenges pic.twitter.com/WOdOr3Cw6j– Gareth McAuley (@G23mcauley) September 30, 2019