Euro 2022 winner Ellen White has officially announced her retirement from football just three weeks after she stormed to victory alongside the Lionesses at this year’s European Championships.
The 33 year old footballer announced the news on Twitter on Monday, August 22, and described the decision to hang up her boots as “one of the hardest decisions” of her life, but she insisted it was “time to watch the next generation shine”.
“This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life but one that I know is the right decision for me," Ellen said.
“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.”
She then continued: “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.”
Paying to tribute to the teams she had been part of over the years, Ellen thanked them for the “unbelievable memories” as she also paid a heartfelt tribute to her managers, team mates and fans.
Her statement then went on to say: “I have been very lucky to have played for a number of teams in my career. It has been a huge honour to have represented some of the biggest clubs in England and to have worn the shirt and created some unbelievable memories.
“Thank you to all the clubs that have given me the opportunity to be a part of your football club.
“Thank you to the managers who I have worked for. Your guidance, patience, knowledge and belief in me helped to give me the confidence to achieve my wildest dreams.
“The hours on and off the pitch do not go unnoticed and I am incredibly grateful, and will always remember the good times.”
Alongside her gratitude to those who had helped her in her career, Ellen also shared a poignant message to young football fans around the world that may one say want to follow in her footsteps.
“You don’t have to be the best at something to make your dreams come true,” she told her fans.
“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.”
Ellen had previously opened up to OK! about her experience of being denied access to the game she loved as a child.
She said: “For me there was the barrier to overcome of not having any girls’ football available to me. I played on the boys’ football team at school and then in a local boys’ team.
“When I was nine I was told I wasn’t allowed to play with the boys any more. Luckily I got scouted to play at the Arsenal Centre Of Excellence. It was a shame, but I feel like it’s changing.
“I’ve recently gone back to my primary school and there were lots of girls playing football.”
The talented player, who has won two WSL titles in her career alongside three FA Cups and League Cups, retired just one goal shy of matching Wayne Rooney’s England record of 53 goals.
Originally starting out her career as part of Arsenal’s youth set-up, Ellen later went on to join Chelsea at the age of 16, where she remained for three seasons.
Following her tenure with the club, she then transferred to Leeds United, where she went on to win the Premier League Cup in 2010.
Later that same year, the rising star rejoined Arsenal, where she won two WSL league titles, two FA Cups and three Continental League Cups.
Yet despite a raft of victories, Ellen was still holding down a job as a sports development at the same time, something she highlighted in her recent OK! interview.
She said: “I was at Arsenal and I was a sports development officer at the same time. I would go to the gym at 6am, then go to work 9am-5pm, and then train in the evening.
“There’s so many women footballers who had to do that as we weren’t financially able to just play football and support ourselves. Having to have a job alongside playing at the highest level is insane.”
Despite the added hardship, it didn’t deter Ellen from the sport she loved, with the England player going on to play for several other clubs, including spending time at Notts County and Birmingham City, before finally signing with Manchester City in 2019 after the World Cup.
It was here that she then went on to win the 2019-2020 FA cup and last season’s Continental League Cup.
She then went on to win the 2019-2020 FA cup and last season’s Continental League Cup.
Outside of her club career, Ellen also made her England debut in March 2010, where a last minute goal helped her to guide England to victory against Austria 3-0.
She was later selected for the 2011 World Cup and went on to represent the national team in six major tournaments for the Lionesses.
Speaking about her departure, Baroness Sue Campbell, The FA’s director of women’s football, hailed Ellen as a true “legend of the modern game”.
She said: “Ellen 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.”
As Ellen bows out at the peak of her career, the FA plans to recognise her accompaniments at one of England’s home autumn fixtures in the coming weeks.
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