Former Everton and Manchester City striker Toni Duggan has announced his retirement from football, 17 years after making his Toffees debut.
The 33-year-old first burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Everton during the 2007/08 campaign, before winning the PFA Young Women’s Player of the Year and lifting the FA Women’s Cup the following year. .
Moves to Manchester City, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid followed, which gave him the platform to cement his place in the England squad with 79 caps in his career.
Everton lifted the FA Women’s Cup in 2009/10
“It’s really weird,” Duggan said when asked Sky Sports how it felt to end his career.
“For any professional in any sport, the time will always come. The reality now feels a bit strange and it will be the next few weeks.
“A lot of thinking in the summer but happy that I can finally walk away from the game with in a better place than when I started. I feel content with that.”
His career has come a long way across Europe, but it has finally come full circle, as the Liverpool-born striker returned to Everton three years ago in a move that would be his last in the professional game.
“You never plan to retire,” Duggan added when asked if he always thought about finishing in blue.
“It’s just a feeling and you can’t predict what’s going to happen next. I just feel now is the right time to go and enjoy what I’ve done, off and on the pitch.
“It’s great that my career is over. I started at Everton, and I finished here, it’s a good time.”
Duggan appeared in 22 Women’s Super League matches for Everton in her first season back, scoring two goals and adding one assist, but missed the entire following campaign after announcing she was pregnant with her daughter, Luella.
Toni Duggan (right) and Nathalie Bjorn (left) celebrate the win at Anfield
His next step after retirement is yet to be determined but his family will be at the forefront of any decision.
She said: “I had offers from all over the world but none of them felt right, when you have a baby they are your priority. It didn’t feel right but I made the right decision.”
When asked what he wanted to do in his post-playing days, Duggan admitted he wanted to continue working in football but wanted to find out where his talents best before committing to one role.
“I’m not sure what’s next,” he continued. “It’s pretty quick, but I’m going to be the type to dip my toes into different things.
“I want to stay in the game, I always have a passion for football, and I always help the younger girls and guide them when I can.
Toni Duggan works as a pundit for Sky Sports
“I love working with brands and sponsors to raise the profile of the game, so hopefully I can continue to do that.
“I just want to know what I like and I’m good at. But obviously spend some quality time with Luella.”
While many will focus on the accolades and accolades on the field, Duggan’s impact should also be lauded.
The enthusiasm to open up the discussion about pregnancy in the women’s game and the clear demonstration that players can return to the highest level after starting a family is an exciting example for the next generation – but they did not end there.
“I think the women’s game is at a good level but there is progress to be made. Going through the pregnancy and going through the journey, there are areas to improve. If I can help, it would be great. strength to strength, I’m proud of the journey.
“The sky is the limit for not only women’s football but women’s sport in general.
Four domestic teams, just under 300 appearances and more than 90 goals – but most importantly, the games he will leave better than he did because of his time in the sport.
appreciation
Everton
- FA Women’s League Cup (2007/08)
- FA Women’s Cup (2009/10)
Manchester City
- FA Women’s League Cup (2014, 2016)
- FA WSL (2016)
- FA Women’s Cup (2016/17)
Barcelona
- Copa de la Reina (2018)
- Copa Catalunya (2017, 2018)
- UEFA Women’s Champions League Runner-up (2018/19)
Atletico Madrid
- Supercopa de Espana Femenina (2020/21)
England
- FIFA Women’s World Cup third place (2015)
- SheBelieves Cup (2019)
