Manchester City and England striker, Ellen White has announced her retirement from football at the age of 33 years-old.
White announced her decision to retire from the game in a Twitter post in which she admitted that deciding to retire ‘has been one of the hardest decisions’ she has taken but done on her own terms as she believes the time is right to move on and ‘watch the next generation shine.’
The 33 year-old went on to describe playing football as her ‘greatest honour and privilege’ which ultimately culminated in Euro success with England last month on home soil, with the last two goals of her career coming for the Lionesses in a 8-0 group win over Norway.
Across her time playing for England, White scored 52 goals in 113 caps and retires as England’s highest goal-scoring female player of all time.
White also represented Team GB at 2012 then 2020 Summer Olympics in which she scored six goals in eight caps – with all six goals scored at latter tournament, including a hat-trick in their dramatic Quarter-Final exit against Australia as well as goals in wins against Chile and Japan in Group Stage.
White began her career with Arsenal at youth level but went on to play senior football for Chelsea and Leeds Carnegie before returning to the Gunners where she scored 11 goals in 32 appearances between 2011-13.
Upon departing Arsenal for a second time, White went on to play for Notts County, Birmingham City and Man City, as she described her entire career as full of ‘unbelievable memories’ and proceeded to pay tribute to managers, medical staff, teammates, fans and family for their support.
Thank You Football… pic.twitter.com/WmeDGeX9zT
— Ellen White (@ellsbells89) August 22, 2022
White concluded her post by sending a message to young supporters of women’s football in which she said: ‘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.”
England Lionesses manager, Sarina Wiegman issued the following tribute to White following the latter’s announcement: “Ellen has given so much for England and we are all so proud of her.
“I have only had the pleasure of working with her for this past year, but her professionalism, work rate and finishing ability is world-class.
“This summer, she did an amazing job for the team, she is the perfect team player and helped the younger players to find their way in international football.
“I already knew she was a great player but I found an even better person. We will miss her, but I fully understand her decision to take a new direction.”
FA Director of Women’s Football, Baroness Sue Campbell added that White “… will long be remembered as a model for others to follow. It is not just about her record-breaking 52 goals and performances on the pitch, but about the standards she set and the way she conducts herself.
“A true leader of women, it has never been about Ellen White for her – even when she was scoring the crucial goals or giving everything she had, it was always the team first. She is a legend of the modern game.”
White won 10 domestic club titles in total across her career which includes four Women’s League Cup, three Women’s FA Cup, two Women’s Super League titles and one Women’s Premier League Cup.
On the international stage, White helped England win three invitational cups (Cyrus Cup, SheBelieves Cup & Arnold Clark Cup) plus 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro, of which the latter success came in her final tournament as a player.
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