Northern Ireland's Dugdale Ends Playing Career Aged 28

Northern Ireland defender Rachel Dugdale has announced her status arsenic a subordinate astatine nan property of 28.

The past of Dugdale's 43 caps came successful a 1-1 tie against Bosnia-Herzegovina successful nan Nations League successful June.

She made her Northern Ireland debut successful March 2016 against Slovakia successful nan Istria Cup but missed nan 2022 European Championship aft sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

At nine level, Dugdale had spells pinch Doncaster Rovers Belles, US assemblage broadside Eagles Women, Charlton Athletic, Coventry United Ladies and Reading Women.

Her astir caller nine was Blackburn Rovers Women, who withdrew from nan Championship successful May and now play successful nan 4th tier of English football.

"To nan mighty GAWA, I denote my status from world and master football. It is pinch a dense bosom but immense pridefulness that I stock this news," she said successful a statement.

"Representing Northern Ireland since I was 15 has been nan top honour of my career. Being portion of nan travel to our first ever awesome tourney was a dream travel true, and I will cherish that representation forever.

"Thank you for your astonishing support complete nan years. While it's scary to measurement distant from nan crippled I love, I americium excited for nan caller section ahead. This squad and these fans will ever clasp a typical spot successful my heart."

Dugdale was a regular successful Northern Ireland squads nether leader Tanya Oxtoby, who has paid tribute to nan defender's "leadership" qualities.

"Rachel has been specified an important portion of nan modulation play complete nan past 18 months. Her activity and expertise to group nan correct standards each azygous time has enhanced our civilization immensely and that will beryllium difficult to replace," nan Australian said.

"I can't hold to spot her clasp and win connected her adjacent journey, and we will each miss her astir nan group massively."