Former England and Manchester City striker Toni Duggan has announced her retirement from football at the age of 33.
Duggan, who represented Barcelona and Atletico Madrid during a stellar 17-year playing career, left Everton last season following the end of her contract.
The forward said she had offers from other clubs to continue playing but decided it was “definitely the right time” to hang up her boots.
“I am immensely proud of the part that I have played alongside those people; the passion, dedication, sacrifices and determination to provide more opportunities for girls and prove that football is a sport for everyone,” she wrote on social media.
“I gave it everything, on and off the pitch. From Everton Park to Wembley Stadium and everywhere in between, I sit here today looking back on my club career with satisfaction and pride.”
Having made her debut for Everton as a 16-year-old, Duggan returned to her girlhood club last summer following the birth of daughter Luella in March 2023.
She told BBC Sport: “It was a massive achievement for me coming back after giving birth to Luella and playing last season but, when you weigh up the opportunities and ‘where next’, I have to take into consideration both me and her and nothing really felt right.”
Duggan joined Man City from Everton in 2013 and helped the club win four major trophies in four years, including their first Women’s Super League (WSL) title in 2016.
She moved to Barcelona in 2017, becoming the first English player to join the Catalan club since Gary Lineker in 1986.
“Throughout my career I was always trying to prove a point to everyone,” Duggan told the Guardian after calling time on her career.
“That’s what drove me. I always wanted to prove women’s football is good. I wanted to go to Barcelona to prove that you can go abroad and still be successful. Then I wanted to prove a point that you can have a baby and play at the elite level.”
At international level, Duggan won 79 England caps across her career and was an important part of the Lionesses squad that reached the World Cup and European Championship semi-finals.
(Marcio Machado/Getty Images)
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