Canberra United defender Ellie Brush has announced she will retire at the end of the current Liberty A-League season, bringing down the curtain on a stellar career.
The Canberra legend has won two Grand Finals (2012 and 2015) and a pair of Premierships (2012 and 2014) during her time at McKellar Park as she prepares for the final weeks of her career.
Brush was a foundation member of Canberra – who are fifth and five points adrift of Melbourne Victory in the race for finals this season – and she was the club’s inaugural captain in 2008.
The 34-year-old and two-time Matilda has amassed 141 appearances, 111 for Canberra, having also spent time with Sydney FC.
“After playing for such a long time, I feel the time is right to finish my playing career,” said Brush.
“Football has played such a massive part in my life, and I have loved every minute of it. I have some amazing memories of my time both here in Canberra and elsewhere and will always have fond recollections of my time playing in Canberra.
“This club means a huge amount to me on both a professional and personal level. We achieved so much as a team, winning titles and playing some amazing matches in front of the passionate and, outstanding, Canberra crowd.
”It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions from Day One and I have been lucky enough to play with some incredible players and make so many lifelong friends.
“I want to thank everyone for their support throughout the years and we hope to be able to repay you all with finals football this season.”
Saturday’s blockbuster showdown with reigning champions Victory will be her final match at McKellar Park as Canberra end the campaign away to Western United and Melbourne City.
“Ellie is not just an outstanding footballer but an outstanding human being as well,” Canberra head coach Njegosh Popovich.
“She has achieved so much, and rightly is considered an absolute legend of the game, not just here in Canberra. Her performances have been consistently excellent throughout her career, and it has been a privilege to work with her in the 2022-23 Liberty A-League season.
“I personally wish her all the best in whichever direction her future career takes her but do hope that she stays in the game in some capacity, starting with adding her as a mentor for our club joining her ex-teammates (Gill, Sykes, Begg, Munoz).”
