Steph Houghton: Man City captain, ex-England star to retire at end of season - 'Football has been my life'

Former England captain Steph Houghton has announced she will retire from football at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old has earned 121 caps for her country and captained the Lionesses to third place at the 2015 World Cup.

The Manchester City captain has also lifted three Women’s Super League titles and could bow out after clinching a fourth, with City behind leaders Chelsea only on goal difference.

“There is no easy way to say it, but I am retiring from football at the end of the current WSL season,” Houghton said in a statement.

“Taking the decision to retire is such a difficult thing to do. Whilst age comes to every player, it makes it no easier having to say the words out loud.

“Football has been my life; my passion and I have loved the career I have had.”

Houghton began her career at Sunderland before enjoying stints at Leeds and Arsenal.

With The Gunners, Houghton won seven major trophies, including back-to-back WSLs in 2011 and 2012, two FA Cups and three League Cups.

She joined City at the start of January 2014 and has since gone on to make almost 150 appearances for the club.

During her 10-year stay, she added another WSL to her roll of honour in 2016 and has also captured three more FA Cups and another four League Cups.

Houghton made her England debut off the bench in 2007 and was named as the Lionesses captain in 2014, leading England to their first-ever World Cup semi-finals appearance in 2015 and a third-place finish.

She brought up her century of international appearance in 2018 and also represented Great Britain at the 2012 and 2020 Olympics.

The latter part of the defender’s career has been blighted by injury, though. She missed out on selection for Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad that won the 2022 Euros and hasn’t played for England since 2021.

But she can still bring the curtain down on her career in style, with City level on points with Chelsea at the top of the WSL with five games remaining.

City head coach Gareth Taylor said: “Steph is - without question - an icon of the game. Although her professional career on the pitch is now coming to an end, her legacy will be felt for so many years to come. She's paved the way for so many to thrive in the future.

“Steph has lived and breathed football for such a long time, and she leaves it in the strongest place it has ever been - a true testament to her leadership, hard work, talent, and dedication.

“I feel incredibly privileged to have been able to work with her since 2020 and know her name will be written into the history books as a true footballing great.

“Steph will excel in whatever she puts her mind to, and, on behalf of everyone here at Manchester City, I'd like to express our immense gratitude and wish Steph all the very best for the future.”

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