Abby Wambach, the most prolific player in women's international
football history, has announced she will retire at the end of 2015.
Abby Wambach, the most prolific
player in women's
international football history, has announced she
will
retire at the end of 2015.
The 35-year-old
striker will bring the curtain down on her extraordinary career in
December, having scored a record 184 goals in 252 appearances for United
States.
Wambach, part of the side that won the
2015 World Cup, confirmed in a statement on Tuesday: "After much
deliberation and talking with my friends, family, team-mates and our
coaching staff, I've decided to finally bring my soccer career to an
end.
"While we still have more work to do for
women's soccer, after bringing the World Cup back to the United States
this summer, I'm feeling extremely optimistic about the future of our
sport. It's been an amazing, wonderful ride and I can't wait to see what
the next chapter of my life brings."
Wambach
captured the heart of Americans during her four World Cup campaigns and
also played in two Olympic Games, earning gold medals in 2004 and 2012.
The
veteran forward will be available for the final four games of United
States' post-World Cup victory tour, which wraps up on December 16
against China in New Orleans.
"Abby is a player
who has transcended our sport and her legacy as one of the world"s
greatest players is set forever," US coach Jill Ellis said in a
statement.
"What she has done for women's soccer
and women's sports overall with her amazing talents on the field and her
personality off it has been inspiring to watch.
"I
am just extremely happy that she could end her career with that elusive
World Cup title and go out on top, right where she deserves to be."
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