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Ivica Olic announces retirement from Croatian national team

The forward put an end to his international career.

Martin Rose/Getty Images

Former Bayern Munich forward Ivica Olic announced his retirement from the Croatian national team on Thursday. The announcement ends an international career that began back in 2002 and finished with 20 goals and 104 appearances. Olic ends in fourth place in goals and appearances for Croatia.

"Saying goodbye to Croatian jersey is a very emotional moment for me," Olic said in an open letter. "Croatia was always above everything else. That will not change, and I wish my national team a lot of success this summer in France. I will be Croatia's biggest fan."

During Olic's three seasons at Bayern, the club only won two trophies when Bayern lifted the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal during the 2009-10 season. His first and third seasons in Munich saw the Bavarians advance all the way to UEFA Champions League Final before failing in their efforts to beat Inter Milan and Chelsea.

Olic's arrival in Munich coincides with the rise of Bayern to one of Europe's elite clubs after years of languishing in a second tier. Since 2009-10, Bayern have appeared in three Champions League Finals, while making it to the semifinals of two others.

The current season hasn't been too friendly for Olic. The striker has only appeared in 8 matches during the 2015-16 Bundesliga campaign for a total of 119 minutes. It's very possible that this is the final act of a great career.

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