Millie Bright, the Chelsea and former England defender, has announced her immediate retirement from football at the age of 32. The decision brings an end to a career in which she won eight Women's Super League titles and six Women's FA Cups with Chelsea, as well as helping England win the 2022 European Championship and reach the 2023 World Cup final.
Bright, who retired from international football in 2025 with 88 caps, has been sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in February. She will miss Chelsea's final two WSL matches and the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City in May. The club described her as a 'club legend' and will honour her career before their final WSL game against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on 16 May.
Bright joined Chelsea in 2014 and made 314 appearances, lifting 20 trophies. She became club captain at the start of the 2023-24 season. She said: '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.'
Bright will remain at Chelsea in off-pitch roles as a trustee of their foundation and as an ambassador. England head coach Sarina Wiegman praised her impact, saying: 'It is hard to put into words the impact she has had. She has inspired so many people.'
