Laura Coombs, Manchester City midfielder, will retire at the end of the season. She aims to conclude her career with a Women's Super League title, leading Arsenal by six points with two games remaining.
Laura Coombs has played for Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City [Getty Images]
Manchester City midfielder Laura Coombs has announced she will retire from football at the end of the season.
The 35-year-old hopes to bow out with a Women's Super League title as her side sit six points clear of Arsenal with two games left.
Coombs, who earned seven caps for England, began her senior career at Arsenal in 2007 and represented some of the country's biggest clubs.
On the international stage, she received a surprise recall to the England squad after an eight-year absence by manager Sarina Wiegman in 2023.
She was part of the squad that reached the World Cup final that year, as well as winning the Women's Finalissima and Arnold Clark Cup.
Coombs said: "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."
City's managing director, Charlotte O'Neill, said Coombs has been a "true cultural architect and heartbeat" of the club.
"Her professionalism, drive, and humility has set a standard that others have naturally followed," added O'Neill.
"It has been an honour to have her in our club, not only does she bring her best self every day in training and matches, but she also brings out the best in her team-mates. I only have the highest praise for Laura."
Laura Coombs is retiring from football to conclude her career after the current season.
Laura Coombs has played for Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City throughout her career.
Manchester City is currently six points clear of Arsenal in the Women's Super League with two games left to play.
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Coombs has been a valuable squad member at City in recent years, becoming a dependable leader in a team full of stars and often filling in at various positions.
During her most effective seasons, she was a box-to-box midfielder with a strong passing range and good technical ability.
She was part of the Chelsea squad that won their first WSL title in 2015 and an FA Cup trophy.
Later, following a successful season on loan at Liverpool, she signed permanently and made a total of 74 appearances for the club.
Coombs has spent the last seven years at Manchester City, winning the FA Cup and League Cup in 2020 and 2022 respectively.
Having scored 27 goals in 147 appearances, her spell at the club will be celebrated at City's final home league game on Sunday against Liverpool, with a trip to West Ham to follow on Saturday, 16 May.
[BBC]
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed