Ex-Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak calls time on his playing career

Former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak has announced his retirement, saying it was “time for a new chapter”.

Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak his team celebrate after Australia beat South Korea in the 2015 Asian Cup final. Picture: Getty Images

Former Socceroos captain and Crystal Palace stalwart Mile Jedinak has announced his retirement, saying it was “time for a new chapter”.

The Australian, now 35, spent five seasons at the London club, joining from Turkey’s Genclerbirligi in 2011, leading Palace to promotion back to the Premier League via the playoffs in 2013.

He moved to Aston Villa in 2016 but was released at the end of the 2018-19 season with speculation that he may rejoin a team in Australia’s A-League, where he started his career.

Australia's Mile Jedinak salutes the crowd after his team defeated Honduras in their 2018 World Cup qualification playoff match at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Picture: AFP

But the defensive midfielder took to Instagram to confirm he was hanging up his boots.

“I was a young boy from Western Sydney with a dream to play professional football,” Jedinak said. “My journey to reach that goal was full of so many experiences, challenges and memories that will always be cherished.

“I want to thank all the clubs I represented for allowing me the opportunity to do so. It’s now time for a new chapter.”

Palace paid tribute on Twitter, calling Jedinak “a leader of men and a club legend”.

He played 79 times for Australia, featuring at three World Cups before bowing out of international football in late 2018. One of his biggest triumphs was captaining the Socceroos to win the 2015 Asian Cup on home soil.

AFP