Former Arsenal and England forward Jodie Taylor has announced her retirement from professional football at the age of 37.
The player took to her personal Instagram account to release an emotional retirement video earlier today.
Taylor played for 17 different clubs throughout her 22-year career. She spent time playing her football in England, America, Canada, Australia, Sweden and France.
The forward enjoyed a lot of her club success in America and Australia, however, she is also fondly remembered for her two spells with Arsenal. Taylor represented The Gunners between 2016 and 2017 before returning to see out her career with the North Londoners in the latter part of last season.
On the international stage, Taylor made 51 appearances for England while she scored 19 goals.
Speaking after announcing her retirement, Taylor said “It has gone so fast. Thinking back to when I was a kid playing with my dad in the back yard, I never knew I’d ever get to this point.
“All of the memories; the places I have travelled and lived in, the tournaments I have gone to, the people I have met, the things I have won, the things I haven’t won, the injuries, I have experienced the good and the bad in the last 22 years. It has been incredible, where has time gone?
“Every moment I got on the pitch, I really relished it and tried to savour it because they were my last games. I knew coming and signing for Arsenal a few months ago, these were going to be my last games, so every opportunity, I had to make the most of.
“It has been a crazy ride, I am sad to say goodbye to playing but I’m excited for what is next. It won’t be on the pitch but I’m hoping to have a bigger impact.”
Taylor is the second former Lionesses to announce her retirement in the last 24 hours. Defender Abbie McManus also announced the news that she has hung up her boots yesterday.