"Icon" Steph Houghton is retiring from football

"Icon" Steph Houghton is retiring

Former England captain Steph Houghton says she will retire from football at the end of the season.

The Manchester City defender is the club's record appearance holder and has played for England 121 times.

Steph, is part of the squad battling it out to win the Women's Super League title.

She'll leave behind a huge footballing legacy, and has been described as an "icon" by Gareth Taylor, her current coach at Man City.

Steph has played 241 games for City and is their most decorated player, with eight major trophies under her belt for them.

She was also the first female player to appear on the cover of Shoot magazine, and was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II.

"I hope I leave the game in a better place than when I started," Houghton said.

"And [I hope] I have contributed in some small way to giving the girls of tomorrow a better future in football." she said.

What has Houghton's impact been on women's football?

Lioness' boss Sarina Wiegman (right) said Steph is "inspiring"

Many people have been praising Houghton's career, since the news of her retirement was announced.

Sarina Wiegman, the Lionesses' manager, says: "She has been inspiring so many young girls to follow in her footsteps."

Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA's director of women's football, described Houghton as a "role model."

Steph captained England at three major tournaments, but missed out on being part of the Lionesses squad that beat Germany at Wembley to win Euro 2022 after injury disrupted her season.

What will Houghton do after retirement?

Steph helped Man City to win the Vitality Women's FA Cup

Houghton will still play in a few WSL games before she officially retires, but has said: "I am excited for whatever comes next,".

"In the meantime, I remain focused on giving everything I have left for Manchester City, over the next two months." she said.