Defour retires from Belgium duty with aim of prolonging club career

Steven Defour called time on his international career Friday in an effort to prolong his playing career.

The midfielder was instrumental for Burnley before his 2017-18 season was cruelly cut short by a knee injury in January. As he's still recovering from the subsequent operation, he was overlooked for Belgium's trip to the World Cup finals this summer.

"There are a few reasons for my decision, but the main one is that I have had some serious injuries in my career in my past, and I want to play as long as possible," Defour explained on Burnley's website.

"At some point you have to make a choice to play fewer years and still continue to be available for the national team, or play longer, and that means quitting international football.

"I have really enjoyed and been honoured to play for my country, but to be honest I was not a regular in the starting lineup."

Defour steps away from national team duty having won 52 caps, and will now focus on Burnley's upcoming Europa League adventure - the club's first appearance in a continental competition for 51 years.

"I am feeling good and I’ll be back in Burnley at the beginning of June to finalise my rehab and that will be the final part to get ready for pre-season," he said.