season. In February 2019, Baird announced his retirement as a player with immediate effect. International career On 3 June 2003, Baird made his Northern Ireland début against Italy in a 2–0 defeat. Since then, he has been a regular member of the national side, despite playing little domestically between 2003 and 2005, including being involved in a squad when Northern Ireland played twelve matches without scoring a goal. In March 2007, Baird was called up by the national team despite sustaining a groin injury against Colchester United a week before. Baird missed two international matches as a result. Northern Ireland FA deemed it a failure to comply to call-up, thus invoked a FIFA rule which states that "any player who fails to comply with a call-up for whatever reason may not play for his club for the duration of the call-up plus one day," and Southampton would risk points deduction by playing him during the said period. Baird then made his 50th international cap on 25 March 2011 and was given a captaincy against Serbia. He was previously given a captaincy in August 2007 against Liechtenstein in a Euro 2008 qualifier. On 18 May 2016, Baird was selected as part of the provisional 27-man squad to represent Northern Ireland in the UEFA Euro 2016 competition. On 28 May 2016, Baird was named in the final 23 man Euro 2016 squad for Northern Ireland. On 17 August 2016, Baird announced his retirement from international football. Personal life In September 2010 his mother's home in Rasharkin was petrol bombed by the loyalists in a sectarian attack. Baird became a father on New Years Day in 2005 when his partner gave birth to a daughter, Shannon. In May 2006, Baird and his partner, Sarah, were married. Career statistics Club International Honours Southampton FA Cup finalist: 2003 Fans' Player of the Season: 2006–07 Fulham UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2010 Burnley Football League Championship runner-up: 2014 References External links Northern Ireland stats at Irish FA 1982 births Living people Association football defenders Fulham F.C. players Northern Ireland international footballers Northern Ireland under-21 international footballers Association footballers from Northern Ireland People from County Antrim Premier League players Southampton F.C. players English Football League players Walsall F.C. players Watford F.C. players Reading F.C. players Burnley F.C. players West Bromwich Albion F.C. players Derby County F.C. players UEFA Euro 2016 players FA Cup Final players