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BERLIN -- Germany defender Per Mertesacker is retiring from the national team, becoming the third member of the World Cup-winning squad to quit. Nike Roshe Run Mesh Donna . Mertesacker announced his decision in interviews with ZDF television and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper Friday. "After 10 fantastic years in the national team, I have reached the decision to step down," ZDF quoted Mertesacker on its website as saying. "It was always important to me to stop at a successful time, and that is the case after winning the World Cup title." The 29-year-old, capped 104 times, added that many young and fresh players are coming up and "the point simply has come now to make the next step possible for these boys." The Arsenal defender follows Philipp Lahm and veteran striker Miroslav Klose, who have both walked away from international football since Germany beat Argentina 1-0 last month to win its first World Cup since 1990. "The national team is in such good shape that Im not at all worried about three players retiring now," Mertesacker said. He will now concentrate on his career with Arsenal, and told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung that he wants to become English champion with the London club. Mertesackers first game for Germany was against Iran on Oct. 9. 2004. He scored four goals for the national team during his career, and appeared in six of Germanys seven matches at this years World Cup in Brazil. World Cup-winning coach Joachim Loew, who is staying on for the 2016 European Championship, said Mertesacker "was always open to new things -- he always wants to learn, despite his immense experience." Loew said Germany would miss "Pers experience ... his positional play, above all his character and his attitude." "I could always rely on him in the 10 years he played for the national team," he said. Adidas ZX 750 Uomo . Terry Hawthorne and a stingy defence made sure the Illini didnt have to wait an entire off-season as well. New Balance 574 . -- Los Angeles Dodgers catcher A.DUBLIN, Ireland -- Ireland coach Joe Schmidt mixed youth and experience by including seven uncapped players in his extended 44-man squad for the Six Nations on Tuesday. Cardiff Blues forward Robin Copeland is among the new additions, alongside New Zealand-born prop Rodney Ah You, Robbie Diack, Rob Herring, Martin Moore and Jordi Murphy. Kieran Marmion is the sole uncapped player in the backline. "As always, a number of the selections were very tight," Schmidt said. "There is an experienced core of players in the squad who will offer continuity, as well as some new additions who have been selected with an eye to the future." Ireland opens its campaign at home to Scotland on Feb. 2 before hosting defending champion Wales. Schmidt says Richardt Strauss, Donnacha Ryan, Roger Wilson, Tommy Bowe, Simon Zebo, Declan Fitzpatrick and Craig Gilroy -- who was injured in Ulsters victory over Montpellier in the Heineken Cup last week -- have been left out but may return if they recover in time. "A number of players currently injured or returning from injury will remain with their provinces to gain further recovery time or game-time," Schmidt said. New Balance 574 Uomo|Donna. "Some of these players may yet return for 6 Nations matches." Sean OBrien, Stephen Ferris, Mike Sherry and Stuart Olding, though, "will be unavailable in the longer term" and are unlikely to make the tournament. ------ Extended Ireland squad: Forwards: Rodney Ah You, Stephen Archer, Rory Best, Robin Copeland, Sean Cronin, Robbie Diack, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Rob Herring, David Kilcoyne, Mike McCarthy, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Jordi Murphy, Paul OConnell, Tommy ODonnell, Peter OMahony, Mike Ross, Rhys Ruddock, Devin Toner, Dan Tuohy, Damien Varley. Backs: Isaac Boss, Darren Cave, Gordon DArcy, Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Robbie Henshaw, Paddy Jackson, Felix Jones, David Kearney, Rob Kearney, Ian Keatley, Ian Madigan, Kieran Marmion, Luke Marshall, Fergus McFadden, Conor Murray, Brian ODriscoll, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble. Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China ' ' '
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