"To me, it's really exciting. It's not something I've wrestled with, but it's definitely been a thought in the back of my mind as I've been getting on. I'm really comfortable with the decision. It's been really cool to take the football lens off and be excited for me, as a person, moving into the big, wide world."
"I just feel really at ease with it. I'm super-content with my career and everything that I've overcome and achieved. I feel so lucky to have been able to go to the places I've been to and to have met the people I have. Football has ultimately been my life. It's made me who I am and it's all I've known."
Lucy Staniforth, a 33-year-old Aston Villa midfielder, is retiring from professional football at the end of the season. Beginning her career at Sunderland in 2008, she has represented more clubs than any other WSL player, earning 17 England caps and reaching two FA Cup finals. Staniforth suffered back-to-back ACL injuries in 2014 affecting different knees, causing her to miss nearly three seasons. Despite these setbacks, she expresses contentment with her decision and career achievements. She describes feeling at ease with retirement and excited about life beyond football, reflecting on the profound impact the sport has had on shaping her identity.
Read at www.bbc.com
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