Chelsea captain Bright announces her retirement

Chelsea captain Millie Bright has announced her retirement from football with immediate effect.

The 32-year-old defender, who joined the Blues from Doncaster Belles in 2015, made 294 appearances for the club and earned 88 England caps.

During a trophy-laden spell at Chelsea, Bright won eight Women’s Super League titles – including six successive titles between 2020 and 2025 – along with six FA Cups and four League Cups.

An ankle injury has kept the former Lionesses star sidelined since February, and she has now confirmed her decision to hang up her boots.

“Representing Chelsea over the last 12 years has been everything to me, but I’m now ready to say goodbye to playing football,” Bright said.

“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 is set to remain at the club in an ambassadorial role and will also continue as a trustee of the Chelsea Foundation.