Former Melbourne City and Football Ferns star Hannah Wilkinson has announced her retirement from football.
Wilkinson retires as City’s all-time leading goalscorer following her departure from the reigning Ninja A-League premiers at the end of 2023-24, having scored 30 goals in 51 appearances across three seasons.
The 32-year-old New Zealand international calls time on a 14-year career that included four FIFA Women’s World Cup campaigns and 32 goals in 125 appearances for the Football Ferns.
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“It is with some sadness, but with great clarity and relief, to announce my retirement from the beautiful game,” Wilkinson wrote via Instagram.
“It’s not exactly the way I wanted to go out. I expected to wear the Fern for the final time at the Olympic Games in Paris, hoping to help redeem our disappointing early Women’s World Cup exit last year.
“Blood, sweat, tears, puke (food poisoning at the qualifiers and pure grit to really make this a good, final one.
“Instead, I found myself on an impromptu French holiday, thankfully with family, and thankfully with many Aperol Spritzes.”
Wilkinson played a crucial role for City in 2023-24 – bagging 10 goals and one assist – as the Melbourne club went on to claim the Premiership in dramatic fashion, pipping hot-favourites Sydney FC on the final day of the campaign before losing to the Sky Blues in the Grand Final.
Furthermore, as recognition for her excellent season in Melbourne, the Football Ferns legend also represented the inaugural A-Leagues Women All Stars team as they took on Women’s Super League (WSL) giants Arsenal at Marvel Stadium in May.
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“In professional sport, there is only so much you can control. An opinion, sometimes without rational explanation, happens. That opinion doesn’t define me. I did let it for a little bit. That was a dark space,” she added.
“However, with time, I recognised what a fallacy that is. 14 years representing Aotearoa, 3 Olympic Games, 4 World Cups, and playing careers in the US, Sweden, Portugal, Germany and Australia.
“So many goals with so many celebrations. Medals, trophies, achievements, personal and team. That is what defines me.
“Football shaped me into everything that I am, and gave me more opportunity, and more connections, than I could ever dream of.
“Thank you, football, thank you to coaches who developed me and saw me, and an even bigger thank you to all my support over the years. I gave it everything, and it was an epic ride.
“I am so excited for the next stage. The boots are hung up, but the canvases, the walls, are out and ready. I’ve never felt more alive in my creative space, and I’m so amped to see what manifests.
“Much love to you all, Wilky #17.″
