Healy announces retirement

Former Northern Ireland international David Healy has announced his retirement from international football, the Mail Online understands.

Healy began his career with Manchester United, though his senior debut – a 3-0 League Cup defeat at Aston Villa turned out to be his only appearance for the club.

The striker then had brief loan spells with Port Vale and Preston North End, before joining the latter on a permanent basis in 2001.

Having played thirteen games on loan at Norwich City, he moved to Leeds United, then to Fulham, the Sunderland before heading north of the border with Rangers in January 2011.

He also turned out for Doncaster Rovers and Ipswich while still on the books of Sunderland, and most recently played for Bury in League One last season, though he was unable to steer them away from relegation.

Internationally, he won 95 caps for Northern Ireland, and with thirty-six goals is their top scorer of all time while he also holds the record for the most goals (13) during a European Championship qualifying campaign.