Chelsea captain Millie Bright retires from football with immediate effect

Chelsea captain Millie Bright retires from football with immediate effect

Chelsea captain Millie Bright has announced her immediate retirement from football.

Bright stepped away from international duty ahead of last summer’s European Championship, where England ultimately emerged victorious.

The 32-year-old spent 12 years with Chelsea, making 314 appearances and winning 20 trophies, ending her career as the club’s longest-serving player.

Bright has not featured for Chelsea since February 8 after sustaining an ankle injury, with Erin Cuthbert deputising as captain in her absence.

The Blues have two games remaining in their Women’s Super League campaign and will face Manchester City in their FA Cup semi-final in May. They have already lifted the League Cup, beating Manchester United in March.

Bright will remain involved with the club in a new role as club ambassador and will continue as a trustee of the Chelsea Foundation.

Internationally, Bright made her England debut in 2016, earning 88 caps before retiring last summer. She was a part of the Euro 2022-winning squad and captained the Lionesses to the World Cup final in 2023. She was subsequently awarded an OBE in the 2024 New Year Honours.

On announcing her retirement, Bright said: “Representing Chelsea over the last 12 years has been everything to me, but I’m now ready to say goodbye to playing football. I’ve given all I can, and I never wanted to fight for any other badge.

“It is now time, and I’m ready to go into a new era. I’m always going to be Chelsea, but just in a different way.”

Chelsea will be celebrating Bright ahead of their final WSL match of the season against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on 16 May.