Chelsea captain Millie Bright announces retirement

Chelsea captain Millie Bright announces retirement Chelsea captain Millie Bright has announced her immediate retirement from football. 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. She 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. Stay up to date with all the latest women’s football news by joining our WhatsApp channel .

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.