Rachel Furness has announced her retirement from professional football after over two decades in the game.
The 36-year-old Northern Ireland international departs as her country’s all-time leading goalscorer (men’s and women’s) with 38 goals in 95 appearances.
Present in the heart of midfield since making her debut in March 2005, she played a significant role as Northern Ireland qualified for Euro 2022, the first major tournament in their history. Her final appearance came in their UEFA Women’s Nations League encounter with Hungary in October 2023. She was awarded the BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year award in 2021.
Domestically, Furness has represented Sunderland, Reading, Tottenham, Liverpool, Bristol City and Newcastle United. Achieving promotion to the Barclays WSL twice, she amassed over 100 appearances in the top tier of English football.
She rounded off her career almost where it started at Newcastle United. Making 18 appearances for Becky Langley’s side, she was part of the squad that earned the Magpies an impressive fifth-placed finish in their first ever Barclays Championship season.
“Returning to my childhood club was a dream come true,” Furness said. “The little girl who once had a dream never imagined she would get to live it. This city, these fans – they will always have my heart.”
