Leah Williamson Reveals the Age She Plans to Retire and the Club She Hopes to Finish Her Career With.

Leah Williamson Reveals the Age She Plans to Retire and the Club She Hopes to Finish Her Career With.

 

 

 

 

Leah Williamson, the England and Arsenal defender who has become one of the most respected figures in women’s football, has revealed her long-term vision for her career — including the age she plans to hang up her boots and the club she hopes to finish with.

In an exclusive interview with UK media this week, the 28-year-old centre-back said she envisages playing until she is 39, a milestone she views as the culmination of a sustained and successful career at the highest levels of the game.

“It’s a number I’ve thought about,” Williamson said. “I love football, but there comes a point when your body tells you it’s time. I can see myself playing into my late 30s, and if I have the fitness and the passion, I’d love to finish my career at Arsenal — the club that gave me my start and has shaped me into the player and person I am today.”

Williamson’s comments underline her status as a one–club player. A product of Arsenal’s youth system, she joined the Gunners at age eight and has spent her entire professional senior career at the club, making her debut in 2014. Over more than two decades associated with the North London club, Williamson has become synonymous with Arsenal’s identity — both for her leadership on the pitch and her emotional connection to the fanbase.

The defender’s reflections come at a high point in her career. In 2025, she captained England to European Championship success and helped Arsenal secure the UEFA Women’s Champions League title, a feat that has cemented her legacy among the elite in the women’s game.

Williamson acknowledged that the physical demands of elite football are significant, especially as players age, but stressed she believes thoughtful training, adaptability and a love for the sport will allow her to compete at the top level into her late 30s.

“I feel strong now,” she said. “But it’s not just about age. It’s about how I take care of myself, adapt my game, and continue to enjoy football every day.”

Her long-term plan also reflects a deeper commitment to Arsenal. “This club is where I want to finish,” Williamson added. “It’s where I grew up. I see the fans, the history, the culture here — it just feels right. I can’t imagine myself pulling on another shirt, at least not as a player.”

Williamson has already signed multiple contract renewals with Arsenal in recent years, each time reaffirming her dedication to the club. Her most recent extension was widely praised by teammates and supporters alike, with the club’s leadership highlighting her influence both on and off the field.

Off the pitch, Williamson has also been vocal about the broader evolution of women’s football. She has discussed the realities of the sport’s economics, including how even top players often pursue education or career planning outside football because the financial security afforded to some male counterparts is not yet matched in the women’s game.

As she looks ahead to the coming seasons, Williamson’s vision paints a picture of sustained excellence — one that spans more than a decade at the top level and culminates in a fitting conclusion at the club she calls home.

“Playing until 39 — that’s the goal,” she said. “And I want every one of those years to be with Arsenal.”