England's most capped player Fara Williams has announced she will retire from football at the end of the 2020-21 season.
Williams, who plays with Reading, has 172 caps for the Lionesses after making her first appearance in 2001.
"After much consideration and despite offers to remain within the game, I have made the difficult decision to retire from professional football at the end of this season," she said in a statement.
"When I look back on my career at standout moments, I always return to making my home debut for England, which was beyond my wildest dreams. This was when I really got a sense of what it means to represent your country."
The midfielder revealed in February that she had been diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome which required steroids and led her to gaining weight and other side effects.
Over the course of her career she won the Women's Super League, two Women's Premier Cups and two FA Cups.
With England, she represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics and won a bronze medal at the 2015 World Cup.
Williams has been with Reading since 2017 and previously played for Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton.
"Playing football is all I have ever known, but I am excited for the next chapter of my life," she added. "I look forward to remaining within the game, pursuing opportunities within the media and continuing my coaching badges."
