Chelsea defender Bright announces retirement

Chelsea defender Bright announces retirement

Chelsea defender Millie Bright has announced her immediate retirement from playing professional football.

WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official press release from The Blues this morning.

The 32-year-old is hanging up her boots after enjoying a 17-year playing career at the top level. Bright spent her early years with Doncaster Rovers Belles before joining latest club Chelsea in 2014.

In her time in South West London, Bright has made 314 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions while she has captained the team over a long period. The defender has won 20 domestic trophies including nine league titles and six Adobe Women’s FA Cups. Bright was also a member of the Chelsea side that reached a first-ever UEFA Women’s Champions League final in 2020/2021.

On the international stage, Bright has been capped on 88 occasions by England while she has scored six goals for her country. The player won the UEFA Women’s EURO with the Lionesses back in 2022. She also turned out for Great Britain at the Olympic Games in 2021.

After 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 honour Bright in their final game of the season against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on 16 May 2026. She will be remaining with the club as an ambassador and foundation trustee.