Bosnia and Herzegovina captain Edin Dzeko has announced he will retire from international football after October's Nations League clash with Sweden, bringing an end to a remarkable career with his country.
The veteran striker, who turned 40 in March and currently plays for Bundesliga side Schalke, confirmed his decision on Thursday.
"Now I feel the time has come to step aside," Dzeko said on social media.
"If I have made it to the age of 40 with the national team, it is because I truly gave everything I had. Every time. Everything."
Known affectionately by Bosnian supporters as "Dijamant", meaning "diamond", Dzeko has captained his country since 2014 and established himself as one of the greatest players in Bosnia and Herzegovina's history.
Since making his international debut against Turkey in June 2007, the Sarajevo-born striker has amassed 151 appearances and scored 73 goals, making him both Bosnia's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer.
"Nothing in my career has ever compared to the pride I have felt every single time I wore that shirt. Nothing," Dzeko said.
His farewell appearance is scheduled to come against Sweden in Zenica on October 2, with Dzeko calling on supporters to attend his final match.
"For now, I just hope you will be there that night against Sweden, so we can share one more emotion... because every one of these incredible moments has been something we have lived together," he wrote.
Dzeko added that he wanted to experience his final night representing Bosnia alongside the supporters while wearing the national shirt he has loved since childhood.
While his international career is drawing to a close, Dzeko remains active at club level.
In August, he signed a one-year contract extension with Schalke after helping the German club secure promotion back to the Bundesliga last season following three years in the second tier.
Dzeko initially joined Schalke on a free transfer from Fiorentina in January.
His lengthy club career has also included spells with Zeljeznicar, Wolfsburg, Manchester City, Roma, Inter Milan and Fenerbahce.
Bosnia are scheduled to face Poland, Romania and Sweden in Nations League action across the end of September and beginning of October.
Dzeko recently captained Bosnia at the World Cup in North America, the country's second appearance at football's biggest international tournament.
Their campaign ended in the last 32, where Bosnia were eliminated by co-hosts the United States.
October's meeting with Sweden will now provide Dzeko with the opportunity to say farewell to the national team after nearly two decades, closing an international career in which he became Bosnia's record appearance-maker, record goalscorer and long-serving captain.
