Wales midfielder Griffiths quits professional game at 25
Wales midfielder Alice Griffiths retires from the professional game at the age of just 25, saying it is "just not what I want anymore".
Midfielder Alice Griffiths was capped 17 times by Wales [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Wales midfielder Alice Griffiths has announced her retirement from the professional game at the age of 25, saying it was "just not what I want anymore". Griffiths has 17 caps and was part of Wales' squad at Euro 2025, but was not included in Rhian Wilkinson's squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro in March. She played for Cardiff Met and Charlton Athletic before joining Southampton, and also had a short loan spell with Durham.
Griffiths joined Scottish side Rangers on a two-year deal in July 2025, but in April signed for Women's National League South side Exeter City. "In October, I went into my final games for Wales and Rangers knowing they would be my last professional matches," Griffiths said on social media. "I was living for moments that lasted minutes and life is far too short for that.
"I had complete control over the timing of my decision, I gave it absolutely everything and sometimes it's okay to say it's just not what I want anymore. "I might still play the game the girl wearing studs in a concrete garden was so obsessed with, but from now on it won't be who I am, it'll just be a sport I enjoy. "