Former Arsenal Women striker Jodie Taylor has announced her retirement from football. The 37-year-old enjoyed two spells at Arsenal, the most recent of which came at the end of last season.
Taylor joined the club on a short-term contract in March to help ease Arsenal’s injury crisis and she made eight appearances at the end of last season.
Taylor also represented Arsenal in 2016-17, scoring 10 goals in a 17 game spell. She spent the majority of her career in the US, as well as spells in Australia, Canada and Sweden and she also won a Champions League title with Lyon.
“It was great to return to the club to play my last games and end my playing career,” said Taylor.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better place to hang up my boots than at Arsenal. Thank you for all the memories, and for making this club always feel like home.”
Taylor also told Forbes, “I contemplated a little bit, continuing to play. The reality was it wouldn’t have been at Arsenal. It would have required moving again and other considerations which I just didn’t really want to do. Before I even got on a plane to London, I knew that this would most likely be my last few games.”
“It was kind of nice going into that. Most players don’t have the privilege to end playing on their own terms. A lot of things in football are out of your control a little bit, getting contracts renewed and getting selected for teams. Knowing that it was my choice, gives me peace, walking away from the game.”
Thanks, Jodie and good luck with your next steps.