Manchester City midfielder, Laura Coombs has announced her retirement from football.
Coombs will officially retire at the end of the 2025-26 season and bring the curtain down on her 19-year career, which includes seven senior international caps for England and was part of the squad which finished runners-up to Spain at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I’m so excited to be a fan of this team in the future,” explained Coombs on her decision to retire and pave the way for Man City’s next generation to step up as they sit on the cusp of a Women’s Super League and FA Cup double this season.
“What they’re trying to build here, I think it’s incredible. The way Manchester City are putting our women’s team in a position to really go on and be successful long-term is so exciting.
“I’m very glad I got to play a part in that and I’m very excited to watch in the future.”
Coombs began her career at Arsenal which included loans at Nottingham Forest and Los Angeles Strikers before she joined Chelsea in 2011, having scored one goal in 18 appearances for the Gunners.
She however went on to enjoy loan spells at Barnet and Liverpool plus a return stint at Los Angeles Strikers during her time in West London, in which she though was part of Chelsea’s WSL and Women’s FA Cup title-winning teams in 2015 as she scored five goals in 79 appearances for the Blues.
Upon departing Chelsea in 2017 after having spent 2016 season on loan at Liverpool in which she scored once in 15 appearances, Coombs joined the Reds on a two-year contract and managed four goals in 54 appearances.
2019 saw Coombs move to Man City where she has delivered 27 goals in 154 appearances, during which she won 2019-20 Women’s FA Cup then 2021-22 Women’s League Cup.
City Women’s Managing Director, Charlotte O’Neill hailed Coombs as “a true cultural architect and heartbeat…” of the club, as she praised the 35-year-old for her impact on and off the pitch.
“Laura has been a true cultural architect and heartbeat of Manchester City Women. Her professionalism, drive, and humility have set a standard that others have naturally followed.
“It has been an honour to have her in our club, not only does she bring her best self everyday in training and matches, but she also brings out the best in her team-mates. I only have the highest praise for Laura, she is a shining example to our younger players of what an elite player and all-round top person looks like.”
Coombs was also part of England Women’s team which won the 2009 UEFA Women’s Under-19s Championship.