England’s most capped player Fara Williams announces retirement from football after long battle with kidney condition

ENGLAND’S most-capped player Fara Williams has announced she will retire from football at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old took to Twitter to share the news just months after revealing her long-term battle with a kidney condition that nearly “broke” her.

Williams revealed she made the “difficult” decision despite an number of offers to keep playing.

The Reading ace said: “After much consideration & despite offers to remain within the game.

“I have made the difficult decision to retire from professional football at the end of the season.”

Despite leaving the game she’s played for two decades, the 172-cap Lionesses midfielder remained positive and said being able to play for so long was a pleasure and a privilege.

She added: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have had a career of more than 20 years within the women’s game.”

Shortly after she broke the news, a ton of good luck messages and appreciation tweets flooded in.

The tributes were lead by Chelsea defender Millie Bright who called her a legend.

Bright wrote: “Enjoy retirement Fara, thank you for everything legend.”

This sentiment was echoed by the Women’s Super League, who called Williams “one of the greatest legends ever.”

They wrote: “One of the greatest legends of the #BarclaysFAWSL.

“You’ve been an inspiration to so many following our game.

“We will miss you. Best of luck for the future.”

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand also offered his praise for Williams, congratulating her for being the country’s most capped player of all time.

He wrote: “Congrats on ya career… most capped international our country has seen!”

Royals boss Kelly Chambers also gave the midfielder her best wishes and said she’ll be missed at the club.

She said: “Fara will be missed on the pitch, but I wish her the very best in her next chapter.

“I have no doubt she will be successful in whatever she chooses to do. Her knowledge of the game is second to none, as is the hunger and desire she has to learn and develop.

“She is a true idol to any young female football out there. On record I would like to thank Fara for everything she has done for me, the staff, the players and the club.”

Reading added their own tribute on their , and said: “Reading Football Club would like to thank Fara Williams for her time as Royal.

“For the hard work and dedication she has given both the club and women’s football as a whole. A true legend and pioneer.”

She started her illustrious career with Chelsea as a teen before moving to Charlton Athletic for a brief spell.

Williams then went to Everton where she spent eight years, scoring an incredible 70 goals in 122 appearances.

She then risked the wrath of Toffees fans by joining Liverpool in 2012, when she also represented Team GB in the Olympics.

But her risk paid off and in 2013 she won the WSL title with the Reds and repeated the feat the following season.

A restless Williams then went to Arsenal in 2016 and picked up an MBE in the same year for her services to football and charity.

Then she made the final move of her club career when she joined Reading in 2017.

Unfortunately, Williams was forced to slow down after picking up a kidney condition in March 2020.

The Lionesses star discovered she had nephrotic syndrome in March 2020 following thigh surgery after a training injury.

The condition is caused by an excess leak of protein from blood into urine, and can lead to swelling in the legs and ankles.

She struggled to fully recover from the disease that has kept her sidelined, but can leave the game with her head held high after all her amazing achievements and accolades.

And after such a glittering playing career, it seems likely Williams could take a more hands on coaching role in the game.

She has already shown a keen interest in coaching and is currently working with England Women’s Under-17s as part of an FA Elite Coaching Programme.