Chelsea captain Millie Bright announces retirement from football with immediate effect

Bright will go down as one of the most influential figures in English women’s football.

The defender retired from international duty last October, having picked up her 88 caps over a nine-year spell.

She was instrumental in the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 victory, starting all six matches as they claimed a first major trophy.

She also wore the captain’s armband as England reached the 2023 World Cup final and was a dependable leader throughout her career.

However, she withdrew from the Euro 2025 squad – a tournament England went on to win – stating she was “not able to give 100% physically and mentally”.

Her position in the side was no longer certain, with younger defenders Maya le Tissier, Esme Morgan and Lotte Wubben-Moy continuing to progress with England.

As a result, Bright was able to turn her attentions fully to Chelsea this season in the hope of leading them to a seventh successive WSL title.

But it has not gone to plan for Sonia Bompastor’s side with Chelsea sitting six points adrift of leaders Manchester City with two WSL games remaining.

They were knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Arsenal but won the League Cup and are in the FA Cup semi-finals.

It has not been the fairytale ending Bright would have hoped for personally as she has been forced to sit out since February with a frustrating ankle injury.

That was no doubt a contributing factor in her decision to retire, with her contract coming to an end in the summer and question marks over her future.