England’s record appearance holder Fara Williams has announced she will retire at the end of the season.
The Reading midfielder, 37, won 172 caps and played at four European Championships and three World Cups.
She represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics and played for Charlton, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool and Arsenal during a 20-year career.
“It is the right time,” said Williams, whose recent playing time has been limited by a kidney condition.
“You know when your body is done.”
Williams won two Women’s Super League titles with Liverpool and won the FA Cup twice, in 2010 with Everton and in 2016 with Arsenal.
She was part of the England squad that finished third at the 2015 World Cup and passed Rachel Yankey’s record of 129 caps in 2014.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Williams picked her England debut against Portugal aged 17 as her career highlight.
“As a young girl growing up, I didn’t know too much about the women’s game,” said Williams, who became an MBE in 2016.
“I never had a dream of being a footballer. I just loved the game.
“To understand what it meant to be an England player, I will always remember that moment.”