At the age of 32
European champion ends her career
April 29, 2026 – 1:22 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Millie Bright has enjoyed great success with Chelsea and England. The 32-year-old is now ending her active career.
The Chelsea FC women’s team is losing one of its faces. Captain Millie Bright announced her retirement on Wednesday at the age of 32. She will no longer play a game for the Londoners as she has been out with an ankle injury since February.
“It’s time,” the Englishwoman wrote in a letter to fans on the Chelsea website. “I gave everything I could on the pitch. Physically I just can’t do any more.” She feels like she needs to take more care of herself in the future. She still wants to stay with the top English club. “I’m ready to give back to the club in other ways,” said Bright. In the future, it will support the club’s own foundation.
The defender moved to Chelsea FC in 2015 as a 21-year-old and went on to win numerous titles with the Blues, including the national championship seven times. With 314 appearances, she is Chelsea’s record player. She also played a big role in the national team for years: Bright played 88 international matches for England and won the European Championship with the “Lionesses” in 2022.
“I always said that I would stop at the peak of my career and end my career at this club. I keep my word,” wrote Bright. Chelsea have already won the League Cup this season and are also in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. The long-time captain concluded with an appeal to the fans: “The girls still have a lot to do this season, so I want you to support them as best you can.”
