ENGLAND Lionesses legend Ellen White has announced her retirement from football.
White, 33, is currently England Women’s all-time leading goalscorer having made her professional debut in 2010.
She announced the news with an emotional statement on Twitter this afternoon.
It read: “This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life but one that I know is the right decision for me. This decision has always been one I have wanted to make on my terms.
“And this is my time to say goodbye to football and watch the next generation shine.
“It has been my greatest honour and privilege to play this game. In particular playing for England has and always will be the greatest gift.
“My dreams came true on the 31st July, winning The Euros and becoming a European Champion.”
In her statement, White also thanked her former teammates as well as each manager and club that she has played for throughout her incredible career.
She then added: “This is for the next generation and potentially the next lioness. You don’t have to be the best at something to make your dreams come true, just look at me.
“Hard work, dedication, passion and love for what you do are a great recipe.
“Don’t ever let someone tell you ‘you can’t do something or achieve your dreams.’ I was once told I couldn’t play in the boys team and I would never play for England.
“Now I am retiring having made 113 caps with 52 goals for England and a European Champion. Go out there and be the very best version of you!
“Finally, let’s use the momentum from the Euro’s win to make sure that every young person in all communities has the opportunity to play and feel connected to all England football teams.”
White has played for some of the biggest clubs in England throughout her career including Arsenal, Chelsea and most recently Manchester City.
She also represented Great Britain at the London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.
The striker became a Lionesses legend in November last year when she surpassed Kelly Smith’s total of 46 international goals to become England Women’s all-time leading goalscorer.
She has called time on her playing career with an impressive tally of 52 goals in 113 senior appearances for England.
Two of those goals were scored during the Lionesses’ historic charge to the Euro2022 title last month.
Only Wayne Rooney, who netted 53 goals during his international career, has scored more for England in either men’s or women’s football.
White made her professional debut for Chelsea in 2005, shortly after leaving Arsenal’s academy at the age of 16.
She then had a spell at Leeds United before re-joining The Gunners – where she won three league titles and two FA Cups – in 2010.
The striker also played for Notts County and Birmingham before moving to Man City in 2019.
White had one year remaining on her contract after signing an extension last season, but she has now decided to retire with immediate effect.
City head coach Gareth Taylor has paid tribute to the Women’s Super League icon.
He told the official club website: “Ellen is without doubt an icon of the game, and although her career is now at its end, her efforts have paved the way for so many to flourish in the future.
“She has given so much over the years to the game that she adores, and she leaves it in the strongest place it has ever been, which is testament to her hard work and sacrifices.
“She has been the definition of the consummate professional and I feel incredibly privileged to have been able to work with her over the past two seasons – her name will be written into the history books as an icon of women’s football.
“Whatever her next steps are, on behalf of everyone here at Manchester City, I’d like to express our immense gratitude to her and wish her all the very best for the future.”
More to Follow
Most read in Football
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
