(Football news) Jill Scott has announced her retirement from football at the age of 35. She has 161 caps for the England Women’s national team, scoring 27 goals and has won four women’s FA Cups and a Women’s Super League title. She began her career at Sunderland before spending seven years at Everton and then joined Manchester City in 2013. She has also had loan spells back at Everton and Aston Villa and has won every single domestic honour in her illustrious career. 

Some of her career highlights include scoring England’s winner against the Netherlands in the Euro 2009 semi-finals and scoring a goal for Man City during the 2017 Women's FA Cup final victory over Birmingham as well. Scott has also represented England in the 2012 and the 2020 Olympics as well as making four substitute appearances in England’s Euro 2022 campaign. Her decision to retire comes after Ellen White also announced her retirement on social media a few days ago.

Speaking in the Players Tribune, Jill Scott said “I may be saying my goodbyes to football, but we're going to make this a celebration. No sad faces!! We've had too much fun for any tears. Imagine, if you would have told me that I'd go on to play for England for 16 years? If you would have told me that I'd live to see 90,000 people packed into Wembley Stadium for a women's European final? And that I'd be playing in it? Impossible." 

England manager Sarina Wiegman said “I must congratulate Jill on a very special career. I am so glad she was able to end on such a positive memory. It will be hard to imagine an England squad without her as she has been an icon of the team for so long. I respect her decision, but we will miss her positive impact on and off of the pitch for sure.

“ To be able to play at the highest level for so long tells you how good a player Jill has been, and her story is a positive example that others will continue to follow. She still has a huge amount to offer, so I hope she won't be lost to the women's game in the future – whatever that role may be. She is a very special person, and although it was only for a short period, I feel privileged to have had the chance to work with her." 

Also read: Ellen White announces retirement from professional football