Toni Duggan confirms retirement with Everton Women mention in announcement

Toni Duggan has brought an end to her professional football career and given special thanks to Everton Women.

The 33-year-old forward posted on X (18 September) to announce her retirement following a 17-year career at club and international level which was bookended by two spells with the Toffees.

Duggan began her career with the Blues before moving on to Manchester City, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, before returning to Merseyside in 2021 and playing three more seasons at Walton Hall Park.

In her post, she said: “Toni Duggan was a little girl with two plaits playing shooties on the streets of Everton with a dream.

“From Everton Park to Wembley Stadium and everywhere in between, I sit here today looking back on my club career with satisfaction and pride.”

Everton Women prepare for life without Toni Duggan

Although the Toffees announced that Duggan would leave the club at the end of her contract on 19 June [EFC], the confirmation of her retirement will have still rocked the club.

A player rising through the academy should always be celebrated, let alone one who lifted silverware across Europe and won 79 caps for England.

Duggan had retired from international duty back in 2020, one year before returning to Merseyside; winning her first cap in 2012 in the penultimate season of her first spell at Walton Hall.

The Blues have made several new signings over the summer to help fill the gap left by Duggan’s exit, with Melissa Lawley crossing the divide on a free transfer from Liverpool.

Everton Women’s new WSL campaign begins in just three days’ time on 21 September, and Brian Sorensen’s side will be keen to follow Duggan’s lead – and make the most of their opportunity.

In other Everton news, the club’s takeover has been ‘complicated’ following a new bid to buy out Farhad Moshiri in recent days.

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