ENGLAND Lionesses legend Ellen White has announced her retirement from football.<br /><br />White, 33, is currently England Women's all-time leading Goalscorer having made her professional debut in 2010.<br /><br />She announced the news with an emotional statement on Twitter this afternoon.<br /><br />It read: "This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life but one that I know is the right decision for me. This decision has always been one I have wanted to make on my terms.<br /><br />"And this is my time to say goodbye to football and watch the next generation shine.<br /><br />"It has been my greatest honor and privilege to play this game. In particular playing for England has and always will be the greatest gift.<br /><br />"My dreams came true on the 31st of July, winning The Euros and becoming a European Champion."<br /><br />In her statement, White also thanked her former teammates as well as each manager and club that she has played for throughout her incredible career.<br /><br />She then added: "This is for the next generation and potentially the next lioness. You don't have to be the best at something to make your dreams come true, just look at me.<br /><br />"Hard work, dedication, passion, and love for what you do are a great recipe.<br /><br />"Don't ever let someone tell you you can't do something or achieve your dreams. I was once told I couldn't play in the boy's team and I would never play for England.<br /><br />"Now I am retiring having made 113 caps with 52 goals for England and a European Champion. Go out there and be the very best version of yourself!<br /><br />"Finally, let's use the momentum from the Euro's win to make sure that every young person in all communities has the opportunity to play and feel connected to all England football teams."<br /><br />White has played for some of the biggest clubs in England throughout her career including Arsenal, Chelsea, and most recently Manchester City.<br /><br />She also represented Great Britain at the London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.<br /><br />The striker became a Lionesses legend in November last year when she surpassed Kelly Smith's total of 46 international goals to become England Women's all-time leading Goalscorer<br /><br />She has called time on her playing career with an impressive tally of 52 goals in 113 senior appearances for England.<br /><br />Two of those goals were scored during the Lionesses' historic charge to the Euro2022 title last month.<br /><br />Only Wayne Rooney, who netted 53 goals during his international career, has scored more for England in either men's or women's football.<br /><br />White made her professional debut for Chelsea in 2005, shortly after leaving Arsenal's academy at the age of 16.<br /><br />She then had a spell at Leeds United before re-joining The Gunners - where she won three league titles and two FA Cups - in 2010.<br /><br />The striker also played for Notts County and Birmingham before moving to Man City in 2019.
