Scotland defender Jen Beattie has retired from international duty.
The centre-half, who plays her club football for Arsenal, has accumulated 144 caps since making her debut as a 16-year-old in March 2008.
The 31-year-old, who counts Women’s Super League outfit Manchester City amongst her former teams, scored 24 goals for Scotland and was awarded an MBE in December.
Beattie helped Scotland reach the European Championships in 2017 – the first major tournament that the women’s side had qualified for – but missed the competition due to injury.
She did, however, play in the 2019 World Cup and scored in the dramatic 3-3 draw with Argentina that ultimately sent Scotland crashing out at the group stage.
Beattie was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2020 but continued her playing career nonetheless as she received radiotherapy treatment. The centre-back was the recipient of the Helen Rollason Award at the 2021 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, awarded to her in recognition of her work.
Amazing memories made. Thank you so much for every single one of them 🏴❤️ https://t.co/IpxuzGtobI
— Jen Beattie (@jbeattie91) January 27, 2023
Sharing a video released by the Scottish FA on Twitter announcing the news, Beattie wrote: "Amazing memories made. Thank you so much for every single one of them.
"Hanging up my Scotland boots. Thank you thank you thank you @ScotlandNT."
Beattie signed a new contract with Arsenal in the summer that saw the defender combine her playing duties with a mentoring role with the academy, and work with the commercial and partnerships teams.
READ MORE: Power of sport means Jen Beattie is not alone in cancer fight
“I’ve really enjoyed the past three seasons, but I’ve still got so much to achieve as part of this club and I’m excited to extend,” Beattie said.
“This is the club that gave me my first real opportunity in football. It’s close to home and it’s a special club. I really feel this is a club going in the right direction.”
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