Laura Coombs to retire from football at the end of the 2026 season

Manchester City midfielder Laura Coombs will retire after the current season, aiming for a WSL title.

Coombs announces retirement Laura Coombs, a midfielder for Manchester City, has declared her intention to finish her football career at the conclusion of the current season. The 35-year-old is targeting a Women's Super League title with her team, who currently lead the standings by six points with two fixtures remaining. Coombs has earned seven international caps for England and started her professional journey at Arsenal back in 2007, later representing other major English clubs. ## International career highlights After an eight-year gap from the England squad, Coombs received an unexpected call-up under manager Sarina Wiegman in 2023. She contributed to England's journey to the World Cup final that year and also helped secure victories in the Women's Finalissima and Arnold Clark Cup. Her leadership and experience have been key parts of her career on the global stage. ## Reflections on Manchester City Coombs expressed her enthusiasm for Manchester City's long-term plans for the women's team, stating, "The way Manchester City are putting our women's team in a position to really go on and be successful long-term is so exciting. I'm very glad I got to play a part in that and I'm very excited to watch in the future." Her presence has been a driving force behind the club's progress. ## Club recognition Charlotte O'Neill, the managing director of Manchester City, praised Coombs as a foundational figure for the club. She described Coombs as a "true cultural architect and heartbeat" whose dedication and leadership set an example for others. O'Neill added that Coombs not only performs at her best daily but also inspires her teammates to do the same. ## Career milestones and contributions Coombs has been a reliable squad player at Manchester City, often stepping into various midfield roles and providing stability. During her peak seasons, she excelled as a versatile midfielder with excellent passing and technical skills. She was part of Chelsea's historic WSL title win in 2015 and an FA Cup success, and later made 74 appearances for Liverpool after a successful loan spell. ## City achievements and final games In her seven years at Manchester City, Coombs helped secure the FA Cup and League Cup in 2020 and 2022 respectively. She has scored 27 goals in 147 appearances for the club. Her final home league match will be against Liverpool this Sunday, followed by a trip to West Ham on May 16.