Everton and England midfielder Izzy Christiansen announces retirement

The former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen has announced she will retire after Everton’s final game of the season against her former club Manchester City on Saturday.

The 31-year-old started her senior career with Everton in 2008 and played for Birmingham, City and Lyon before returning to Merseyside three years ago.

Christiansen won the Women’s Super League, FA Cup and two Continental Cups at City. She was part of the Lyon squad that secured the Champions League in 2019, although she did not make an appearance after the last 16.

Christiansen played 31 times for England, scoring six goals, and was involved in the SheBelieves Cup triumph in 2019.

“To all of the football clubs that have trusted me; Everton, Birmingham City, Manchester City, Olympique Lyonnais and finally here again, Everton; Thank you,” Christiansen tweeted. “To representing my country, there’s no greater honour. Thank you.

“What I have achieved is beyond my wildest dreams and being able to choose this ending is something very special. As a young girl kicking a ball around the school field, I had no idea my future would look like this. Dream big.

Sign up to Moving the Goalposts

Informative, passionate, entertaining. Sign up to our weekly round-up of women’s football now.

after newsletter promotion

“Manchester City Academy stadium on Saturday couldn’t really be a better ending. In my home city, on some beautiful turf where I played some of my best football. I’m very excited to reveal what’s next in due course.”