Gillingham’s Club Captain Gabriel Zakuani has today announced his retirement from international football. 

The 32-year-old will now spend the remainder of his playing career concentrating on his club career, having only signed a new two year deal at the Medway Priestfield in the summer.

Having impressed in his first season with the club, fans will now be delighted that he is focusing on the club and won’t be called up to play for the Democratic Republic of Congo and miss a number of Gills games as a result.

Zakuani has been capped 29 times for his country over a five year international career, and in that time he played in three African Nations Cups, and they just narrowly missed out on qualifying for last summers World Cup.

Speaking to the clubs official website he said: “I was still Captain so it was a tough one but I feel like I’ve played my role now, there are some young players coming through and I think it’s the right time.

“I can’t give 100% to both club and country and I feel like I’ve done my bit.

“I spoke to the manager last year, at that point we had a good chance of making the World Cup, and I said it would be ideal for me to retire after that.

“The other day I thought about it, I think I’ve done enough for my country and I don’t think retiring will hinder them.”