Manchester City goalkeeper, Karen Bardsley has announced her retirement from professional football at the age of 37 years-old.
Bardsley will retire at end of 2021-22 season following a successful career across two decades, having grown up in California with her Mancunian parents where she began her career playing college football for Cal State Fullerton Titans.
Stints at Ajax America Women, Pali Blues and Sky Blues followed before she played for Sweden’s Linkopings FC between 2011-12, ahead of her first move to English club football with Lincoln in 2013 which led to her joining Man City a year later where she enjoyed immense success.
During her time at City, Bardsley won the 2016 Women’s Super League title alongside four Women’s League Cups and three Women’s FA Cup honours, which could soon become four if Man City beat Chelsea in this season’s Women’s FA Cup Final on Sunday 15 May at Wembley Stadium.
Speaking about her decision to retire, Bardsley said: “It was obviously a pretty tough decision for me to make, but after a lot of deliberation and unfortunately being away from the pitch for quite a while now due to injury, it just felt like it was the right moment.”
Reflecting on her career after committing her adult life so far to football as a player, Bardsley added that she was “proud” of her success and has vowed honestly that she has “left no stone unturned” with “no regrets” about her skill and achievements.
The 37 year-old also revealed that she will stay involved in football as she added: “I feel incredibly proud of my career, but ultimately I’m really excited about the next steps and what is to come in the future, and I’m just very much looking forward to giving back to the football community in many other ways.”
Despite spending her childhood in the USA, Bardsley chose to represent England at international level which has seen her play a part in the Lionesses’ rise as she formed part of the team who finished third at 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and enjoy success in Cyprus Cup plus SheBelieves Cup.
City Head Coach, Gareth Taylor has paid tribute to Bardsley’s success as he commented: “Karen has left an undeniable mark on women’s football, and I believe that her playing career is just the start of the overall impact she will make.”
Injuries however limited Bardsley’s availability throughout Taylor’s time at the club during which she spent time on loan at NWSL’s OL Reign, yet Taylor has described her as “an integral member of our team and has made a real difference behind the scenes.”
Man City Women Managing Director, Gavin Makel meanwhile hailed Bardsley as “an integral part” of the club’s success since the team turned professional in 2014.
Acknowledging Bardsley’s impact on the sport beyond just City, Makel added: “She has been a truly incredible servant of not just Manchester City, but the game as a whole, and has been an influential figure in some of the most iconic moments for both club and country.
“She is without doubt a real legend of the game, and it has been a pleasure to be on this journey with her, seeing her grow professionally both on and off the pitch.”
Makel concluded by wishing Bardsley well as he commented: “I have every faith that her future away from the field is an incredibly bright one, and I look forward to seeing her make her mark on the women’s game and beyond in many ways in the years to come.”