Millie Bright has retired from football with immediate effect.
A club statement from Chelsea on Wednesday morning confirmed the 32-year-old, who has missed much of the current season through injury, has decided to hang up her boots.
Bright said she is now “ready to say goodbye” and “never wanted to fight for any other badge”.
The centre-back retired from England duty last summer before Sarina Wiegman announced her squad for Euro 2025, which the Lionesses eventually won to retain their title.
Millie Bright was instrumental in Chelsea’s domestic treble last season, Getty Images
She won 88 caps for her country between 2016 and 2025, winning the European Championships in 2022 and captaining the Lionesses through to the final of the 2023 World Cup, where they lost in the final to Spain.
Bright has been at Chelsea since 2014 and won 20 trophies with the club. She will stay on at the club as a trustee of their foundation.
A statement from Chelsea said: “After 12 years, 314 appearances and 20 trophies, Chelsea captain Millie Bright has decided the time is right to retire from football.
“She ends her career as a true Chelsea legend and our longest-serving player, having been part of the club’s first trophy win in 2015 and the 19 that have followed since.
“We thank Millie for her incredible contribution to Chelsea and are delighted to announce she will be staying on at the club as a trustee of our foundation, continuing her passionate work in supporting others, which began while she was representing us on the pitch.
“She will also be continuing to represent us in a new role as club ambassador, reflecting her intrinsic link with Chelsea Football Club.”
Millie Bright spent 12 years as a Chelsea player, Getty Images
Bright, herself, added: “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.
“It is now time, and I’m ready to go into a new era. I’m always going to be Chelsea, but just in a different way.”
Bright has played more Women’s Super League matches than anyone else in the competition’s history, a record of 216 that she took off previous record-holder Jordan Nobbs in November.
Chelsea’s statement said of its record appearance-holder: “Everyone at Chelsea is so proud of Millie’s contribution to the club and the women’s game during its unprecedented period of growth. We look forward to continuing to work with her as she moves into her roles off the pitch with the club.
“We will be marking Millie’s loyal service ahead of our final Women’s Super League match of the season against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on 16 May.
“Congratulations and good luck, Millie. We will be forever grateful for your contribution, and we know you are never done at Chelsea.”
