Newcastle United midfielder Rachel Furness is retiring from playing professional football.
WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official club press release from The Magpies this morning.
Last week, Newcastle United confirmed that the 36-year-old Northern Ireland international would be leaving the club this summer and it has now been revealed that Furness will be hanging up her boots.
Furness has enjoyed a senior playing career that has spanned out over more than two decades. The player started out with Chester-le-Street back in 2002 before being picked up by Sunderland. After two years on Wearside, Furness went on to represent Newcastle United before turning out for Icelandic club Grindavik. The player returned to Sunderland in 2010 before representing Lincoln Ladies, Reading, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Bristol City. Furness re-joined latest club Newcastle United for a second spell on Tyneside last summer.
Speaking after her professional retirement was announced, Furness said “Returning to my childhood club was a dream come true. The little girl who once had a dream never imagined that she would get to live it.
“This city, these fans – they will always have my heart.”
Furness is one of 12 first team players to be departing Newcastle United this summer.
About The Author
Daniel Pentland
I am the editor and owner of the WSL Full-Time brand which I launched in 2018.
I am an accredited journalist with the FWA, SJA and AIPS. I have reported from various levels of men’s and women’s elite football since 2016.