“It has been my best honor and privilege to play this recreation. Enjoying for England has and all the time would be the best present,” White wrote.
White scored 52 targets and recorded 113 caps for England throughout her profession which spanned greater than 17 years. She made her debut in opposition to Austria in 2010.
She acknowledged that the head of her footballing profession got here in July, saying her “desires got here true” when she helped England win the Euro 2022.
“You do not have to be one of the best at one thing to make your desires come true — simply take a look at me,” White mentioned.
She added: “Do not ever let somebody inform you ‘you may’t do one thing or obtain your desires’.
“I used to be as soon as instructed I could not play within the boys’ crew and I’d by no means play for England. Now I’m retiring having made 113 caps with 52 targets for England and a European Champion.”
Having started her membership profession at Chelsea in 2005, she went on to play for a bunch of England’s largest golf equipment, together with Leeds, Arsenal, Notts County, Birmingham Metropolis and Man Metropolis.
She gained the Ladies’s Tremendous League twice with Arsenal, in addition to the Ladies’s FA Cup on three events.
White has led the road persistently for England over the previous few years, turning into a talisman for the crew. She performed for England at three Euros and three World Cups, ending third at 2015 World Cup and fourth in 2019.
She grew to become the Lionesses’ high scorer in 2021, passing Kelly Smith’s report of 46. She retires only one behind Wayne Rooney’s report of 53 for essentially the most England targets for each the lads’s and girls’s groups.
England head coach Sarina Wiegman paid tribute to White.
“Ellen has given a lot for England and we’re all so happy with her,” she mentioned. “I’ve solely had the pleasure of working together with her for this previous yr, however her professionalism, work fee and ending skill is world class.
“This summer time she did an incredible job for the crew, she is the proper crew participant and helped the youthful gamers to seek out their approach in worldwide soccer. I already knew she was an amazing participant however I discovered an excellent higher particular person.
“We’ll miss her, however I absolutely perceive her determination to take a brand new course.”
Man Metropolis head coach Gareth Taylor additionally praised White, calling her an “icon of the sport.”
“And though her profession is now at its finish, her efforts have paved the best way for therefore many to flourish sooner or later,” Taylor mentioned.
“She has given a lot over time to the sport that she adores, and she or he leaves it within the strongest place it has ever been, which is testomony to her onerous work and sacrifices.
“She has been the definition of the consummate skilled and I really feel extremely privileged to have been capable of work together with her over the previous two seasons – her identify will probably be written into the historical past books as an icon of girls’s soccer.
“No matter her subsequent steps are, on behalf of everybody right here at Manchester Metropolis, I might like to precise our immense gratitude to her and want her all the perfect for the long run.”
