Northern Ireland defender Cathcart retires at 34

Craig Cathcart celebrates scoring for Northern Ireland against Wales in Cardiff in 2016

KV Kortrijk defender Craig Cathcart has retired from professional football after winning 73 caps for Northern Ireland, BBC Sport understands.

Cathcart started his career at Manchester United but did not make a competitive first-team appearance before moving to Blackpool in 2010.

Cathcart made his last NI appearance against Slovenia a fortnight ago.

The central defender, who also made his international debut against Slovenia in 2010, scored two goals for Northern Ireland.

Cathcart captained Northern Ireland during the Euro 2024 qualifiers against San Marino and Finland in March.

He was injured in the 4-2 defeat by Slovenia and subsequently ruled out of the Group H game against Kazakhstan three days later.

Cathcart joined KV Kortrijk on a one-year contract following his release by Watford at the end of last season.

He had a loan spell at Royal Antwerp in Belgium in the 2007-08 season during his time at Manchester United.