After 12 years, 314 appearances and 20 trophies, Chelsea captain Millie Bright has decided the time is right to retire from football.

She ends her career as a true Chelsea legend and our longest-serving player, having been part of the club’s first trophy win in 2015 and the 19 that have followed since.

We thank Millie for her incredible contribution to Chelsea and are delighted to announce she will be staying on at the club as a trustee of our foundation, continuing her passionate work in supporting others, which began while she was representing us on the pitch.

She will also be continuing to represent us in a new role as club ambassador, reflecting her intrinsic link with Chelsea Football Club.

On announcing her retirement, Millie said: ‘Representing Chelsea over the last 12 years has been everything to me, but I'm now ready to say goodbye to playing football. I’ve given all I can, and I never wanted to fight for any other badge.

‘It is now time, and I'm ready to go into a new era. I’m always going to be Chelsea, but just in a different way.’


Signed from Doncaster Belles, Millie began her Chelsea career in the 2015 season and went on to play more Women’s Super League matches than any other player, breaking Jordan Nobbs’ record of 210 during our match against Liverpool in November 2025 and now sits in top spot with 216.

She also holds our club's all-time appearance record (314) and has scored 19 total goals on the way to winning all eight of our WSL titles since our first in 2015. She has added six Women’s FA Cup trophies to that list, as well as four Women’s League Cups, earning two domestic Trebles, one in 2021 and the other in 2025.

During our unbeaten domestic campaign in 2024/25, Millie played 3173 minutes across 36 appearances, leading our relentless charge whilst wearing the armband, having been named as club captain in September 2023.


On the international stage, Millie made her debut for England in September 2016, before going on to earn 88 caps and score six goals for her country.

One of the key members of England’s win at Euro 2022 on home soil, she went on to captain the Lionesses as they reached the World Cup final in 2023. She was awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List of 2024, acknowledging her leadership and impact on the game.


Everyone at Chelsea is so proud of Millie’s contribution to the club and the women’s game during its unprecedented period of growth. We look forward to continuing to work with her as she moves into her roles off the pitch with the club.

We will be marking Millie’s loyal service ahead of our final Women’s Super League match of the season against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on 16 May.

Congratulations and good luck, Millie. We will be forever grateful for your contribution, and we know you are never done at Chelsea.