Updated 12:10, 29 Apr 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMillie Bright has retired(Image: Catherine Ivill\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
Chelsea captain Millie Bright has confirmed her retirement from football in an emotional message.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old defender launched her professional career with Doncaster Belles before moving to Chelsea prior to the 2015 season. Across 12 years with the Blues, Bright has clocked up 314 appearances and secured 20 trophies, concluding her career as the club’s longest-serving player.<\/p>\n
Following her retirement announcement, Chelsea confirmed she will remain as a trustee of the club’s foundation and assume a new position as club ambassador. In an open letter to Blues fans, Bright wrote: “I’ve been thinking about my future for a while now.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Where to watch every end-of-season Premier League and Champions League fixture on TV<\/span><\/span>READ MORE: Man City snubbed by Premier League as fixture request rejected in title boost to Arsenal<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“There have been so many factors to consider, but I have decided that I’m ready to say goodbye to playing football. I’m hanging up my boots. I always said I would retire at the top, and that I would retire at this club. I’m living up to what I said. I\u2019m not prepared to fight for any other club or pull on any other shirt.<\/p>\n
“This club means everything to me. In my career and my life, Chelsea has been the reason for getting up every single day and pushing through the hard times to get back to the good times.<\/p>\n
“I owe everything to this club. The people that I’ve met, the friends that I’ve made, and of course, the memories. I can take those recollections home with me and when I have kids, tell them all about my career, show them the pictures and the trophies.<\/p>\n
“It’s been the biggest gift. I never expected what has happened in the last 12 years. I never even expected to be a footballer, let alone be a professional, playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, and lifting all those trophies together.”<\/p>\n
JOIN US ON FB!<\/strong> <\/strong>Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Bright’s football retirement follows her decision to end her international career in October 2025, concluding with 88 caps for England, having claimed the European Championship on home soil before captaining the Lionesses to the World Cup final the following year.<\/p>\n
Last November, Bright eclipsed Jordan Nobbs’ Women’s Super League appearance record of 210 games after playing in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool.<\/p>\n
During her time at Chelsea, the defender claimed eight WSL titles, alongside six FA Cups and four League Cups, and featured in their treble-winning campaigns in 2021 and 2025. Chelsea have confirmed that a tribute will be paid to Bright during their final WSL match of this season against Manchester United on May 16 at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
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