ONE of Scotland's all time greats is retiring from international football.
Kin Little is stepping down after 15 years in a Scotland shirt, having made her debut as a 16-year-old against Japan in 2007.
The Arsenal midfielder has gone on to win 140 caps for the side, scoring an incredible 59 goals.
The 31-year-old said: “Stepping away from playing international football is something I have been considering for a while and I feel now is the right time to make that change.
“I am proud of the 15 years I have spent representing the national team. I have developed and grown as a person through my experiences representing my country and know they will help me in countless ways in the future.
“Thank you to my teammates for being incredibly empowering and inspiring women. My most vivid and fondest memories are from being by your side on and off the pitch through good times and some challenging times, pushing for progress for the women’s game.
For the goals, for the incredible memories, for taking us to our first ever major tournaments, for inspiring the next generation of footballers to follow in your footsteps – for everything:
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 1, 2021
Thank you, Kim. pic.twitter.com/7bsq6Z8eO7
She continued: “I now look forward to supporting you all from afar and can’t wait to watch you perform and continue to improve the women’s game in Scotland, paving the way for more young girls to have a career as a footballer.
“I want to wish Pedro and the team all the very best for the up-and-coming qualifiers in September and for the rest of the campaign and beyond.”
Scotland manager Pedro Martinez Losa added: “Kim has contributed hugely to the women’s game in Scotland and will go down in history as one of the best players to pull on the national team jersey.
“While it is obviously disappointing that Kim will no longer be available for international selection, I understand and respect her decision. It is now time for the next generation of players to follow in Kim’s footsteps and make their own mark with the national team.
“On behalf of everyone involved in women’s football in Scotland I would like to thank Kim for everything she has done both on the pitch as a player but also as a role model to young girls who have admired her and aim to follow in her footsteps.
“We wish Kim all the best as she continues her club career with Arsenal and look forward to welcoming her to Hampden Park as a supporter in the future.”
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