"I did have a splendid 16 year career with football and I enjoyed every moment that I played for the country and the contributions I have made towards the game"
The star was known as 'Sikkimese Sniper' for his talent of shooting the ball. There has been many speculations on the announcement by the star, in light with the upcoming tour of India to England where India was set to play Pakistan and England, Under-23 next month.
But there has also been light shed on the injuries the player had sustained and he was able to play only for 15 minutes in the Asia Cup held at Qatar, the event was marked the most prestigious events in Indian Football in the past 27 years.
"Winning the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008, to qualify for the Asian Cup were the best moments of my career and I thought of retiring after playing in that tournament," he said.
"But I could play only 15 minutes in the Asian Cup and I thought it was not the right way to retire. I wanted to continue playing but the last 7-8 months have been frustrating due to lot of injuries. So I have decided to quit," he added.
The player was recently dropped from the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and training matches, the player was feeling bad about this but mentioned that everything doesn't go according to the plan and he is quitting international football but will still be active in his club 'United Sikkim FC' which he had founded. He also added that his commitment and contribution to the nation will not diminish and he is ready to contribute more to AIFF if it requires any.
Bhaichung captained India for over 10 years and scored 43 international goals, more than any other footballer of the country. He is also the only Indian and one among few international players to have played more then 100 matches for his country.
Under him, India won the South Asian Football Federation Championships thrice, two Nehru Cup titles (in 2007 and 2009) and the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup which gave India the right to play in the Asian Cup this year for the first time after 1984.
The most recognisable face of Indian football, Bhaichung has been decorated with the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri.
After unsuccessful trials with English Premiership side Aston Villa and Championship clubs Fulham FC and West Bromwich Albion, Bhaichung finally signed for Division Two club Bury FC in 1999 to become the first Indian to play in Europe.
He was with Bury FC for three years till 2002.
