Brighton & Hove Albion defender Fern Whelan has retired from football following medical advice.
Fern joined Brighton in 2017, following spells at Everton, Liverpool and Notts County, becoming an integral member of the squad. During her career, Whelan has won an FA Cup winners medal, played in the quarter final of the UEFA Champions League and earned three international caps with England.
Fern took to Twitter to say: “I have made the tough decision to retire. After a long hard battle with injury, I am now ready to close the amazing chapter of playing football and move on to my next challenge.
“This decision has not been easy, and has not been taken lightly, but I feel that now is the right time to end the ongoing love-hate relationship that myself and football have.
“I am thankful for the amazing experiences the sport has given me, the players I have been lucky enough to play with and against, and the friends I have made along the way.”
Fern will be kept busy embarking on a new and exciting phase of her life, as she and her partner, Aileen Whelan recently announced they are to become first-time parents!
Everyone at the PFA would like to wish Fern and Aileen congratulations on baby Whelan and all the best for their future.
