Aston Villa defender Anita Asante will retire at the end of the current season according to reports on The Villans’ official website.
The 36-year-old centre-back has been a rock at the back for Aston Villa this season but she has made the decision that it is the right time to hang up her boots.
Asante has made 38 appearances for The Villans in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League over the course of the last two seasons, scoring two goals. The player helped Aston Villa retain their top flight status last season and has been a member of a team which has significantly progressed this year.
The defender has spent 19 years in the senior game, starting out at Arsenal before representing Chelsea. Asante then spent time playing overseas in the United States and Sweden before returning to England to rejoin Chelsea in 2018. Following two injury-hit years with The Blues, Asante joined Aston Villa where she has been able to enjoy the final stage of her career.
Speaking following her retirement announcement, Asante said “The last two seasons with Villa have been a great experience and to be part of supporting the next generation of players. It’s great to have an historic and massive club like Villa in the Midlands and it has a very ambitious future. I know they will inspire many young girls to play football and enjoy the highs of the game that I have been so fortunate to experience.”
Asante will hope to feature in Aston Villa’s last two games away at Arsenal and at home to Birmingham City.