Ninja A-League icon and CommBank Matildas legend Lydia Williams has retired form professional football following a decorated career that inspired a generation.
The Melbourne Victory shot-stopper and 104-time Australia international bows out with four A-Leagues Championships and four Goalkeeper of the Year Awards in 131 appearances after making her debut in 2008.
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Williams, who retired from international football in 2024, played 11 matches for Victory having joined the club ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
However, Williams will remain close to Victory as she moves into community and coaching roles, contributing to the ongoing growth of female footballers and goalkeepers.
“I’m so thankful to Melbourne Victory for giving me the opportunity to come home and play in front of family and friends one last time, to honour the sport that’s given me so many opportunities. I’m so grateful.” Williams said.
Williams has been a trailblazer for the women’s game after making her Matildas debut as a 15-year-old.
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The Australian pioneer featured at five FIFA Women’s World Cups and two Olympic Games, while she starred abroad in the United States before playing for Arsenal in the Women’s Super League, French giants Paris Saint-Germain and Brighton and Hove Albion.
Domestically, she got her hands on four Championships – three with Melbourne City after reigning supreme at Canberra United in 2011-12.
She also won four A-Leagues Premierships.
“As a trailblazer for Women’s football, Lydia has shown exemplary leadership throughout her professional football career, both in the A-Leagues and internationally,” said Victory’s director of football John Didulica said.
“We congratulate her on the immense impact she has had on Australian football, and are thankful that Melbourne Victory was able to be a part of her incredible journey.”
Earlier this year, Williams was appointed to the board of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), the organisation responsible for overseeing high-performance and participation programs across Australia, including public funding across 70 different sports.
Aged 36, Williams became the youngest person to be appointed to the ASC Board, and one of two individuals with a First Nations background as a proud Noongar woman.
Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins added: “Through her time playing in Australia and overseas, Lydia has been an inspirational player that has motivated the next generation of goalkeepers to want to play the game, but she has been just as important off the field.
“Lydia has been one of the players of her generation that has stood up for the rights and conditions afforded to female footballers as the game moves steadily forward as a professional sport.”
