(AFP Photo/Guiseppe Cacace)

Nigerian winger Victor Moses has stunned soccer fans following his decision to retire from international football.

 Moses who made the shock revelation on his verified Instagram account on Wednesday, said he took the decision to fully concentrate on his club career and his family.

The 27-year-old Chelsea star debuted for Super Eagles in 2012 after FIFA cleared him to represent Nigeria on November 1, 2011 and went on to play 37 times, scoring 12 goals in the process.

"I would like to announce that after much thought I have made the decision to retire from playing international football," Moses wrote on Instagram.

"I have experienced some of the best moments of my life wearing the Super Eagles shirt and have memories with me that will last a lifetime. Nothing will ever compete to what it felt like to represent Nigeria on behalf of our country.

"However, I feel that now is the right time to step away in order to be able to focus fully on club career and my young family as well as to allow the next generation of Super Eagles stars the opportunity to step up and to flourish. We are blessed as a nation to have so many exciting young players coming through and now is their time."

The former Wigan Athletic player established himself as fans favourite after he helped Nigeria to winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and featured in two World Cup finals.

He had previously played for England at the U16, U17, U19 and U21 levels, while coming through the ranks of English outfit Crystal Palace.

He scored in Nigeria's 2-1 defeat to perennial rivals Argentina during the group stages of this summer's FIFA World Cup in Russia.