The website dedicated to women's football across the country, at ALL levels of the game

@en

Back to home page

Niamh Fahey to retire from football

Liverpool FC Women captain Niamh Fahey has confirmed she will retire from professional football at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old will bid farewell to Reds supporters at Anfield on Sunday at the Merseyside derby with Everton. She will then complete her playing career at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, where she won the double a decade ago, the following weekend.

The centre half from the Republic of Ireland originally arrived in England with Arsenal in 2008, enjoying a domestic treble in her first year and going on to collect three more Women's Super League titles, as well as five Women's FA Cups. Liverpool was always the dream club for this lifelong Red, however, and that aspiration finally became a reality in 2018 when she joined after a spell in France with Bordeaux.

Fahey now ranks fourth on the club's list of appearance-makers in the WSL era on 123 outings so far, with only Gemma Bonner (173), Ashley Hodson (134) and Taylor Hinds (129) above her.

Her last five years in red have been spent as a club captain respected by all, wearing the armband 70 times and lifting the FA Women's Championship title in 2022 before helping the Reds re-establish themselves in the top flight.

Internationally, she finally hung up her Republic of Ireland boots earlier this season, having amassed a grand total of 115 caps and helped her country to their first major tournament at the Women's World Cup in 2023.

In a farewell message, Fahey said: "It's hard to summarise into words the emotions that I feel as I'm retiring. There are probably too many.

"All I can say is how fortunate I feel for the career I've had and being able to finish it all off at my girlhood club, Liverpool FC.

"I'm so grateful for all the wonderful people I've met, shared a dressing room with and to those who have supported me throughout it all. There are too many people to thank individually, but I think you will all know who you are!

"My time at Liverpool has been a rollercoaster for sure! From some real lows to some unforgettable highs. Ultimately, I feel so proud of the last seven years, the journey we've been on and for me personally being able to pull on the red shirt, captain the team and wear the Liver bird on my chest. I have never taken it for granted and it has been a dream to play for this club.

"To the fans, you have been the life force behind everything, especially helping to bring the club back to a competitive place in the WSL.

"I can't thank you all enough for the unwavering support, in good times and bad, and the memories we've shared along the way. It's been unforgettable."

A natural sportswoman, Fahey emulated her brother Gary by winning an All-Ireland Championship in Gaelic football for her native Galway as a teenager. Liverpool would become a perfect second home as she now prepares to say goodbye to her adopted city.