Man City star and England hero Ellen White announces retirement from football

Manchester City Women and England striker Ellen White has announced her retirement from football at the age of 33. White made the shock announcement via her social media channels on Monday afternoon, bringing an end to a glittering career that has spanned over 17 years.

England's all-time leading goal-scorer joined City in the summer of 2019 and scored 34 goals in 90 games in all competitions for the Blues. She played a key role in a successful period for the club, helping City to win the Women's FA Cup in 2019/20 before captaining the side to FA WSL Cup glory last season.

White also enjoyed spells at Chelsea, Leeds Carnegie, Arsenal, Notts County and Birmingham City before moving up to Manchester, and in 2021 she became the then-record goal-scorer in Women's Super League history.

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However, her greatest achievement is undoubtedly winning the 2022 Women's European Championship with England. The striker started all six of the Lionesses' games including the final at Wembley, in which England defeated Germany 2-1 to win a first-ever major trophy.

White scored twice at the tournament, a brace in the 8-0 thrashing of Norway which took her final international goal tally to 52 in 113 caps, making her England's all-time record women’s goalscorer and second overall to Wayne Rooney.

White did not return to pre-season training at City with her teammates, and now 22 days after the Euros final at Wembley she has announced her retirement with immediate effect.

"This is my time to say goodbye to football and watch the next generation shine," White wrote in her statement.

"This is for the next generation and potentially the next Lioness. You don't have